Maharashtra Approves Carpooling: What You Need to Know!

Just a few days after allowing bike sharing, the Maharashtra government has now approved carpooling using registered mobile apps or websites. During a meeting on Tuesday, the cabinet agreed to allow carpooling to help reduce traffic and pollution, as well as to make better use of cars.

Taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers might not be happy about this decision since it could hurt their businesses. The central government’s rules, known as the Aggregator Policy 2020, let people share rides in their personal vehicles, including cars and bikes, for common trips. Although it was being discussed for over 20 years, the Maharashtra government only just agreed to make carpooling legal.

In the past, some apps were already offering illegal carpool services between busy routes like Mumbai and Pune. But now, carpooling can only be done through approved apps or websites. To make it safer, women will have the option to ride with female drivers.

Drivers using these apps will be allowed to make a maximum of 14 pooling trips each week, and the government will set the prices for these rides. These costs will be based on things like fuel prices, tolls, and insurance.

The transport department will create clear rules for carpooling now that it’s officially allowed. The apps providing these services must check to confirm both drivers and passengers, and they need to verify contact information along with sharing service details.

Additionally, both drivers and passengers must have insurance. Users will need to provide their home and work addresses, while drivers have to share where their trips start and end.