Operations of Redbus, MakeMyTrip, 16 other aggregators illegal: Pune RTO tells transport commissioner

The RTO said that these companies were operating their business through their websites and applications without having appropriate licenses.

As many as 18 taxi aggregator companies operating in Pune, including Rapido and Redbus, have been declared illegal by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune. (Express file photo for representation)

As many as 18 taxi aggregator companies operating in Pune, including Rapido and Redbus, have been declared illegal by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune, which asked the Transport Commissioner to shut down their websites and apps.

The RTO said that these companies were operating their business through their websites and applications without having appropriate licenses. Following continuous demands from the unions, the RTO announced plans to shut down the websites and apps of these companies.

The companies listed as illegal include MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, RedBus, Gozo Cab, Savari, InDrive, Rapido, Car Bazar, Taxi Bazar, Bla Bla Car, Cab-E, One Way Cab, Quick Ryde, S Ride, GaddiBooking by Kuldew, Taxi Wars, RouteMatic, and Owner Taxi.

As per the provision of Section 93 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, these companies need to obtain permission before conducting business. Since none of these companies have applied to the office for a licence, “The Special Inspector General of Cyber Cell should take action to shut down the websites of such companies,” said the official letter.

When asked about Ola and Uber, Pune RTO in-charge Sanjeev Bhor said that Ola and Uber are not included in the list as they have already applied for a license under the central aggregator policy. “Their decision is pending, which will be taken in the upcoming meeting of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) chaired by the District Collector,” he said.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
pune