India, Sept. 15 -- Maharashtra has granted provisional bike licences to Ola, Uber and Rapido to operate bike taxi services in Mumbai, expanding the scope of affordable public transport in the financial capital of the country.

"The approval has been granted on the condition that these companies apply for permanent licences within a month, fulfilling all terms and conditions prescribed in the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules 2025," Maharashtra's State Transport Authority said in a statement.

The bike taxis have a minimum fare of Rs.15 for 1.5 km and Rs.10.27 for every kilometre thereafter, according to the statement on Monday. That compares with minimum fares of Rs.31 for black-and-yellow taxis and Rs.26 for auto-rickshaws. These fares will be...