Rapido bike taxis may be banned in Pune

Pune's bike taxi service, Rapido, could soon be banned as authorities have petitioned Google and Apple to remove the app from their platforms. The city police have initiated this action following concerns over the company's unauthorized operations. A letter from Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi and a registered FIR against Rapido have escalated the issue, despite the service continuing to function on the app.

The police claim the company's application for running bike taxis is still pending, and an RTO official stated the company could receive approval if it adhered to Maharashtra's bike taxi policy. However, the unapproved operations complicate this path. Users are questioning the decision, expressing worries over reduced transport options in a city plagued by poor public transport.

Some argue for better regulation instead of an outright ban, citing issues with autorickshaws and cabs. Autorickshaw unions have also criticized the authorities for not confirming the cessation of Rapido's operations and have raised safety concerns.