Chhava to be state’s official ride-hailing app operated by MSRTC

State Transport Minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik said, “Chhava will be a public platform for services of taxis, autos, buses, and e-buses run with the assistance of MSRTC. The purpose is to provide local youth with earnings and transparency to travelers in fares.” He added that the app will be run by MSRTC to generate a new revenue source for the corporation and gain commuter confidence in public platforms.

The name Chhava was jointly decided from among other suggestions like Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri and Maha-Go. The proposal will now go to Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for a final clearance.

The app has been designed to reduce relying on private aggregator platforms that charge high margins, frequently affecting drivers as well as commuters.

Sarnaik added, “The government is making efforts to liberate passengers and drivers from the clutches of exploitative pricing by private operators. Chhava is a step in that direction.”

To facilitate employment via the app, Mumbai Bank committed to offer vehicle loans at 10% interest to Marathi youths who want to register as service providers. Mumbai Bank’s head MLA Pravin Darekar said attempts are also being made to get an 11% interest subsidy through different state government run development corporations so that the net loan price is near zero.

MSRTC officials maintain that the corporation has the infrastructure, manpower and technical capability to run the app throughout the state.

The rules for running the app are in the final stages of approval under the Centre’s aggregator policy. Once operational, it will serve as an additional source of revenue for MSRTC with commuters having a publicly accountable commuting option.

“MSRTC’s decades of passenger trust and its network in Maharashtra make it the ideal agency to operate such a platform,” Sarnaik said.