Image: H S MANJUNATH

The Maharashtra government has temporarily suspended the issuance of new permits for auto-rickshaws and taxis over the past two days as it moves to introduce a uniform regulatory framework for passenger transport, including electric vehicles while commercial e-rickshaws and e-bikes will require licences to operate.

State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the government has decided to make it mandatory for e-rickshaws and e-bikes engaged in passenger transport to obtain proper registration and permits from the Motor Vehicles Department, bringing them under the same regulatory structure as conventional vehicles. Until now, electric rickshaws were not required to obtain a separate permit for passenger transport. However, with the rapid growth of electric mobility, the government has decided to enforce a permit system for such vehicles as well to ensure uniform rules across the sector.

According to Sarnaik, the new policy aims to establish parity between traditional auto-rickshaws, taxis and emerging electric mobility services, while improving transparency and reducing irregularities in passenger transport operations.

Source: Hindu Business Line

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Image: Guifré Jordan

Catalonia's proposed taxi law limiting ride-hailing services took a significant step forward on Wednesday as Parliament approved the first vote on the matter. The law prioritizes traditional taxis over app-based private hire companies such as Uber, Cabify, and Bolt.

The bill cleared a full plenary vote, with Parliament rejecting the full amendment proposed by Vox. The Socialists, Junts, Esquerra Republicana (ERC), Comuns, CUP, and Aliança Catalana voted against while the People's Party (PP) abstained. It now moves to committee, where parties can propose further changes before a final vote in Parliament.

The legislation recognises taxis as an "economic service of general interest" and regulates ride-hailing vehicles (known as VTCs in Catalan) as private, complementary services. The bill establishes the taxi sector's central role in passenger transport and sets out obligations for public service, including universality, accessibility, and continuity. It also maintains the current system of official regulated fares.

Ride-hailing vehicles will operate strictly on a pre-booked basis as a complementary service.

The law introduces a gradual reduction of VTC licenses in the Barcelona metropolitan area as they expire. Currently, there are around 1,000 licenses, with the government estimating that roughly 600 will lapse once the law comes into effect.

Source: Catalan News

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Uber Is Shooting for Even More Upscale Clientele with Uber Elite

Uber has launched a new invite-only luxury ride experience called Uber Elite. Aimed at "executives, frequent travelers, and riders looking for a more elevated experience," it sounds like an upgraded version of Uber Black for the, well, uber-rich.

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New York Proposes Credit Score Ban, Zip Code Limits in Auto Insurance

New York could ban credit scores, zip codes, and income as auto insurance rating factors under a bill introduced on March 6, 2026. Assembly Bill A. 10524, introduced by Assembly Member Lunsford and referred to the Committee on Insurance, proposes repealing and replacing Section 2331 of New York's insurance law. The bill, titled "Motor Vehicle Insurance Fairness," would prohibit insurers from using a long list of factors that have long been staples of auto insurance underwriting and rating, including consumer credit scores, education level, the level of income or wealth, home ownership, property value, employment or occupation (with limited exceptions for business use), the absence of prior insurance, and the amount or provider of prior insurance coverage.

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Leadership Announcement from The Transportation Channel

Selika Josiah Talbott has been named President of The Transportation Channel (TTC). This marks a major milestone for TTC as the Company continues building the world’s premier video streaming media platform dedicated exclusively to transportation — covering aviation, autonomy, infrastructure, policy, and the technologies shaping the future of mobility.

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Diesel Costs Are Soaring with Canadians in Key Industries Preparing for Pain

The conflict in the Middle East is starting to hurt Canadians at the pumps, but the rising cost of diesel fuel has the potential for even further-reaching consequences at home, affecting truckers, farmers and, inevitably, consumers. Before the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which began on Feb. 28, the average price of gasoline in Canada was about 139.6 cents per litre, according to Natural Resources Canada. As of Tuesday, that had risen to 157.3 cents and is estimated to reach 162 cents by March 17. 

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How Remote First Nations Are Working with Ornge to Improve Medical Transportation

Getting a proper vehicle to transport people for urgent medical care is an ongoing challenge in fly-in First Nations in northwestern Ontario. As a result, these communities rely on Ornge’s air ambulance service to get them to the nearest hospitals in Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Winnipeg or Thunder Bay — hundreds of kilometres from home. In Keewaywin First Nation, for instance, people with a medical emergency can't readily get a vehicle, let alone one equipped with health-care supplies, to go to the nursing station.

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Rideshare Service Launches Fund for Women Entrepreneurs

A Northern Ontario rideshare service is making available $15,000 to help women entrepreneurs across the country. Uride, which was founded in Thunder Bay, announced it's launched the Uride Female Founders Fund in recognition of International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8. Under the program, three eligible women will each receive $5,000 toward either growing an existing business or transforming their idea into a venture that addresses a real local need in their communities. 

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Major IRU Event Shifts EU Focus to People and Skills in Road Transport

Last week in Brussels, IRU shifted the focus of the debate to the people who will ultimately make the transition work in practice. At the heart of the week was IRU’s flagship conference, “Future-proofing transport: Skills, technology and transition”, which brought together several hundred participants from EU institutions, the road transport sector, and the broader automotive and transport ecosystem.

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Black Cab App Gett Secures Royal Albert Hall Taxi Deal

Gett has been named the preferred taxi partner of the Royal Albert Hall, in a new collaboration designed to improve transport options for concertgoers attending events at the historic venue. The agreement will see the taxi booking platform connect audiences with licensed London black cabs before and after events through its app. The partnership aims to streamline journeys for ticket holders attending performances at the 154-year-old venue, which stages more than 400 events each year and attracts close to two million visitors annually.

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Ford's Biggest Production Pickup Truck Is So Large It's All but Illegal in Europe

When compared to some parts of the old world, everything in America seems to be bigger, bolder, and brasher. Freeways are wider, subdivisions sprawl, and even the most straightforward trucks can take on gargantuan proportions. Take the Ford F-450 Super Duty as an example, and if you walk into any American truck stop, you'll see that this monster is right at home.

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West Asia Crisis: Taxi Drivers Hit Hard As MIA Flight Disruptions Continue

Taxi drivers at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) have reported a sharp drop in business after the West Asia crisis disrupted international flight services for more than 10 days, severely cutting passenger arrivals and demand for prepaid cabs. According to Airport Tourist and Taxi Drivers' Association, about 180 prepaid taxis, including 10–15 SUVs, are registered at the airport. Drivers said their livelihoods depend almost entirely on airport operations, especially international arrivals, and the prolonged disruption has left many struggling to earn even a basic daily income.

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Former Uber Executive Ascends to the Helm of Gojek Singapore: Janine Teo Steps In As New General Manager

Gojek Singapore, a leading ride-hailing platform, has made significant changes to its top leadership, appointing Janine Teo as its new General Manager. Teo is succeeding Lien Choong Luen, who decided to step down in February after steering the company for seven fruitful years. Teo is not new to Gojek; she has held multiple operational leadership positions within the company for over seven years.

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South Africa: Missed the E-Hailing Deadline? Expect Fines and Impoundments

The Department of Transport has issued a stern warning to e-hailing drivers and operators who have failed to comply with South Africa’s new transport regulations, saying those who missed the March 11, deadline now face fines, enforcement action, and possible vehicle impoundment. Drivers were given a 180-day compliance period under the National Land Transport Amendment Act, which requires operating licenses, vehicle branding, panic buttons, and that they only use platforms registered with the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR).

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Image: NBC

The Board of Airport Commissioners on Tuesday approved a hike in fees that taxi and rideshare companies pay for access to Los Angeles International Airport.

The board voted unanimously to increase the $4 fee to $6 for all companies providing passenger pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport, either within the terminal area or at the LAX-It lot. The fee is expected to increase to $12 for pickups or drop-offs within the central terminal area.

The increase won't go into effect until SkyLink -- aka the LAX people mover -- begins operation either later this year or in 2027. The aim is to ease traffic in the horseshoe-shaped central terminal area and encourage people to use the SkyLink system.

The SkyLink project has faced several delays.

Companies like Uber and Lyft pay a roughly $4 fee to pick up or drop off passengers at LAX. Taxi companies pay $4 to pick up passengers, while limousines and similar services pay $5. Taxis and limos do not pay any fees for passenger drop-offs. Such fees are often passed on to passengers.

Courtney Moore, who heads LAX Revenue and Experience, said the hike would eventually generate $100 million in revenue.

"We would be disappointed if the rideshare companies pass that along to the riders or the driver," Moore said.

Uber said in a statement that the hike would "punish travelers, working families and seniors who depend on affordable, reliable transportation," adding that while it supports improvements at LAX, it should not come "on the backs of the people who keep it running."

Source: NBC Los Angeles

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