Pune Police Seek Rapido App Removal Amidst License Woes

Pune Police have officially requested that Google and Apple remove the Rapido application from their app stores, citing the company's alleged unauthorized bike taxi operations within the city. This action follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Rapido's parent entity, Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd, for providing bike taxi services without the requisite licenses.

Rapido's application to secure a bike taxi aggregator license remains pending with the transport department. This situation escalates from previous directives issued by the Pune district collector, who had ordered Rapido to halt its bike taxi services until a license was obtained. The FIR specifically alleges that Rapido facilitated paid rides on two-wheelers not registered for commercial transport.

Concerns have also been raised regarding inadequate driver background checks, posing potential safety risks, particularly for female passengers. Separately, cab aggregators have been mandated to submit monthly fare data and clearly display approved fares on their apps following complaints of alleged violations. Rapido's attempts to obtain operating permission in Pune date back to 2022, with past applications being rejected and legal proceedings ensuing.