Mumbai Could Soon Get Two Wheeler Taxis
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
Jul 13, 2017, 11:51 AM
Key Highlights
- The government nod is yet to arrive for Mumbai bike taxis
- Tygr is working on availing the permission
- Tygr plans to expand to 10,000 cabs in Mumbai over the next months
Kolkata-based cab service aggregator Tygr forayed into Mumbai yesterday with a fleet of 5000 cabs in the city. While the start-up is finding its footing in the cab service segment against giants like Uber and Ola, Tygr's founder and CEO Aditya Poddar said that the company is also planning to introduce two wheeler taxis in the city. While the company aims to roll out the two wheeler taxi service at the earliest, it is waiting for the state rules to allow them to do so.
At present, operating a two-wheeler taxi service does not fall under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules and hence cannot be allowed to be operated to ferry passengers. The absence of a statutory rule also means there is no clarity on fares and safety for passengers. That is why, while two-wheeler taxis have been introduced in other cities, it is yet to make its way to Mumbai. In fact, UberMOTO two wheeler taxis was introduced in Bangalore last year on a pilot basis but did not make way to the financial capital. Tygr did introduce two wheeler taxis in Kolkata earlier this year, while another firm K Bike Taxi also offers the service in the city. However, Tygr won't be the first company to introduce two wheeler taxis in Mumbai. In 2015, a start-up by the name of Hey Taxi! launched two wheeler taxis in the city, but had to shut the service down within a week of operations. The two wheeler taxis did not fall under the state's motor vehicle rules, which barred the start-up from offering the service. At the time, the city RTO had said that Mumbai presently did not need two wheeler taxis, considering there are already shared three wheelers and four wheeler cabs available. However, with steady demand and growing congestion in the city, the state might just look into amending the rule.
Already a popular concept in China, two wheeler taxis are seen as a cheaper and quicker alternative to conventional cabs and services. For customers on a clock, the service promises to offer easy access to congested places where cabs would be a hassle while also improving on last mile connectivity.
When asked about cannibalisation by two wheeler taxis over cabs, Poddar said that there will always be limited demand for two wheeler taxis. He further added that customers would want comfort over utility and thus will choose cabs. The monsoon season would be another period when demand for two wheeler taxis is expected to be low. However, when it comes to financial viability fort the two wheeler operator, Tygr plans to use the same two wheelers during odd hours to deliver goods within the city.
Tygr aims to provide complete logistics solution with access to cabs, three wheelers, delivery vehicles as well as an ambulance in one app. Cab owners need to subscribe for Rs. 500 and Tygr will provide customers at no extra cost. For the passenger hailing a cab via Tygr, there won't be any peak pricing and that, the company says, will keep the overall fares cheaper by 30 per cent over conventional cab aggregators.
At present, operating a two-wheeler taxi service does not fall under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules and hence cannot be allowed to be operated to ferry passengers. The absence of a statutory rule also means there is no clarity on fares and safety for passengers. That is why, while two-wheeler taxis have been introduced in other cities, it is yet to make its way to Mumbai. In fact, UberMOTO two wheeler taxis was introduced in Bangalore last year on a pilot basis but did not make way to the financial capital. Tygr did introduce two wheeler taxis in Kolkata earlier this year, while another firm K Bike Taxi also offers the service in the city. However, Tygr won't be the first company to introduce two wheeler taxis in Mumbai. In 2015, a start-up by the name of Hey Taxi! launched two wheeler taxis in the city, but had to shut the service down within a week of operations. The two wheeler taxis did not fall under the state's motor vehicle rules, which barred the start-up from offering the service. At the time, the city RTO had said that Mumbai presently did not need two wheeler taxis, considering there are already shared three wheelers and four wheeler cabs available. However, with steady demand and growing congestion in the city, the state might just look into amending the rule.
Already a popular concept in China, two wheeler taxis are seen as a cheaper and quicker alternative to conventional cabs and services. For customers on a clock, the service promises to offer easy access to congested places where cabs would be a hassle while also improving on last mile connectivity.
When asked about cannibalisation by two wheeler taxis over cabs, Poddar said that there will always be limited demand for two wheeler taxis. He further added that customers would want comfort over utility and thus will choose cabs. The monsoon season would be another period when demand for two wheeler taxis is expected to be low. However, when it comes to financial viability fort the two wheeler operator, Tygr plans to use the same two wheelers during odd hours to deliver goods within the city.
Tygr aims to provide complete logistics solution with access to cabs, three wheelers, delivery vehicles as well as an ambulance in one app. Cab owners need to subscribe for Rs. 500 and Tygr will provide customers at no extra cost. For the passenger hailing a cab via Tygr, there won't be any peak pricing and that, the company says, will keep the overall fares cheaper by 30 per cent over conventional cab aggregators.
Latest News
car&bike Team | Jul 21, 2026Maruti Suzuki To Hike Prices By Up To Rs 30,000 In August 2026This marks the second price hike in three months for the company, which previously increased prices in June.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jul 21, 2026Reise Launches Traverse Adventure Touring Suit In India; Prices Start At ₹14,999Reise has introduced the Traverse Adventure Touring Suit, a premium riding gear set designed for long-distance touring and off-road adventures.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jul 21, 2026Mercedes-Maybach GLS Facelift Revealed With Updated Tech, More Powerful V8Upgrades to the Maybach GLS look to focus on improving the in-cabin experience.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jul 21, 2026Mahindra Scorpio Classic Prices Hiked By Up To Rs 40,000Mahindra has begun rolling out its latest price revision across the lineup, with the Scorpio Classic becoming up to Rs 40,000 more expensive1 min read
Janak Sorap | Jul 21, 2026Royal Enfield 350cc Bikes Manufactured Post Aug 25 To Get Free Gear Position IndicatorRoyal Enfield has resumed fitment of the Gear Position Indicator on select 350cc models manufactured after August 2025, following the resolution of a parts supply issue.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jul 21, 2026Citroen Basalt X Comfort Edition Launched At Rs 8.75 LakhThis edition comes with ‘Comfort AXS Packs’, which essentially introduces some of the top-end variant's features to lower, more accessible variants.1 min read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Jul 15, 2026Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider Driven: Rs. 11.25 Crore Meets 1,000 bhpWe got behind the wheel of the most powerful convertible from Ferrari. What makes the 849 Testarossa Spider Special? We tell you.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jul 12, 2026Tata Sierra EV Review: Reborn In The Electric AgeThe Tata Sierra EV isn’t drastically different from its ICE counterpart when it comes to design. But being the seventh electric offering from the Indian brand, it has gotten a few things right, and very few things wrong. But is it a compelling package to buy?5 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Jul 13, 2026TVS Orbiter Long-Term Review (Report 1): Settling In Takes TimeFirst impressions weren't the strongest, but the Orbiter has made a mark in its first month in the car&bike garage.5 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jul 7, 2026Tata Altroz Petrol DCA Long-Term Review: Intercity & Highway Driving ReportWe tested the Tata Altroz Petro DCA’s highway manners, intercity performance, and real-world fuel efficiency.1 min read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jun 29, 2026Renault Kiger vs Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor: Which Underdog Deserves Your Money?Both the Kiger and the Taisor promise strong performance, solid features, comfortable cabins and everyday usability, all without breaking the bank. But which of these underrated subcompact SUVs deserves your money? Let's find out.1 min read