Now You Can Carpool Legally In Mumbai And Pune—Here’s What You Need To Know

In a major decision aimed at improving urban transport, the Maharashtra government has approved the use of private cars for carpooling through official apps and websites, according to a Times Now report. This move comes just days after the state allowed bike pooling, and is expected to bring relief to daily commuters in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.

The announcement was made after a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. From now on, people will be allowed to share rides in private cars through registered carpooling apps. This means drivers can earn some extra money, while passengers get a more comfortable and affordable alternative to taxis and auto-rickshaws.

However, government officials have raised concerns that taxi and rickshaw drivers may protest against this move, as it could affect their earnings. Similar worries were seen when bike pooling was approved recently.

What Is Carpooling?

Carpooling is when people travel together in a private vehicle, usually on the same route or to a common destination. It helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road, saves money on fuel, and cuts down pollution.

The idea of legal carpooling has been discussed for more than 20 years in Maharashtra. Until now, it was not officially allowed. Some mobile apps had been offering carpooling services illegally, especially on busy routes like Mumbai to Pune, but they often operated without proper checks.

New Carpooling Policy Rules

Under the new policy, only registered apps and platforms can offer carpooling services. The rules aim to ensure safety and fairness for all users:

• Female Safety: Female passengers will have the option to choose female drivers.
• Trip Limits: Drivers can only make up to 14 carpool trips in a week.
• Fare Rules: The fare will depend on fuel costs, tolls, and insurance, but it cannot be higher than similar taxi fares.
• Verification Required: Both drivers and users will need to verify their contact information.
• Trip Details: Drivers must inform the app about the start and end points of every trip.
• Insurance: Both drivers and passengers must have valid insurance.

The state transport department will now prepare a detailed set of guidelines to implement this policy smoothly.

The central government's Aggregator Policy 2020 already supports carpooling and bike pooling, as long as the state gives its approval. It believes that ride-sharing will help reduce traffic, cut emissions, and make better use of existing vehicles.

With this new step, Maharashtra joins a growing number of Indian states encouraging shared transport solutions. The move is expected to ease congestion, especially in traffic-heavy cities like Mumbai.