Maharashtra has finally enacted its much‑anticipated Aggregator Policy, providing a unified regulatory framework for app‑based transport platforms. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik highlighted that lakhs of commuters rely on these services daily, yet the absence of clear rules has led to safety concerns, erratic pricing, and revenue losses for both drivers and the state.

Key Provisions of the Policy

Under the new rules, every aggregator must secure a licence from the State Transport Authority and will be assigned a unique identification number upon payment of a prescribed fee. The government will also launch a centralized portal that integrates GPS tracking, driver verification and real‑time compliance monitoring, enabling swift action against violations.

Fare Safeguards and Driver Earnings

To curb exploitative surge pricing, the policy caps dynamic fare spikes and prohibits arbitrary fare reductions. Crucially, it guarantees that drivers receive a minimum of 80% of each fare, providing a stable income floor.

Fleet Caps and Car‑Pooling Recognition

The policy limits the number of vehicles a single owner can register on one platform – up to 50 vehicles in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, and 25 elsewhere – to prevent fleet concentration and promote competition among smaller operators. It also gives legal status to car‑pooling, allowing passengers to share costs while barring private owners from profiting off the service.

Driver Badges and Grievance Redressal

Reiterating a recent Transport Department directive, the policy makes a driver badge mandatory for all commercial passenger transport workers. Eligibility includes a domicile certificate and demonstrable proficiency in Marathi. Aggregators must operate a 24‑hour call centre and appoint a grievance‑redress officer to ensure prompt resolution of customer complaints.

Transport unions have welcomed the policy, calling it a “long‑overdue regulatory clarity.” They have, however, urged the government to introduce category‑wise base fares for different vehicle segments such as hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs to further protect driver earnings.