Mumbai Uber Shuttle Services Halted Amid Transport Ministers Crackdown
In Mumbai, Uber Shuttle, the ride-hailing platform’s intra-city bus service, has been temporarily suspended. This development follows a directive from the Maharashtra Transport Ministry, which announced a sweeping crackdown on aggregator bus services, including Cityflo, for operating without the necessary state licenses, impacting thousands of daily commuters reliant on these routes.
The company informed its users via email on Friday about the temporary pause, stating it was re-evaluating how best to provide a “reliable and sustainable experience” and initiated refunds for unutilized subscription packages. This suspension comes after the Transport Minister publicly called for stringent action against unlicensed aggregator bus services and criticized senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials for neglecting enforcement against illegal operations, including bike taxis.
The Transport Minister reiterated that while a policy framework for bus aggregators could be formulated to benefit a wider section of commuters, illegal operations by app-based services must cease immediately. Officials indicated that over 450 aggregator buses operate across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region without formal state permits. In response, a spokesperson for Cityflo stated that their company had applied for a license months ago, had provided compliance documents, and expressed willingness to collaborate with authorities to offer regulated services.
The sudden halt has raised concerns among Mumbai’s commuters, particularly office-goers who depend on these services as a viable alternative in areas where air-conditioned public transport might be insufficient. While Uber Shuttle operates with proper permits in other major cities like Delhi and Kolkata, its Mumbai service was reportedly still a pilot project.
The crackdown underscores the critical need for clear regulatory frameworks governing digital transport innovations in urban centers. Authorities aim to ensure adherence to norms, foster fair competition, and ultimately, facilitate the provision of safe and authorized transportation options for all citizens.
