For those choosing to travel by Metro during the fortnight when the odd-even policy is in place, last mile connectivity continues to be an issue. Now, Rapido, started by a group of IITians, is trying to make life easier for daily commuters by giving free rides to anyone who has registered with them through their app. From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Rapido is offering free rides to commuters, bearing the brunt of the odd-even exercise while travelling to and from Metro stations. It has put its fleet of bikes at Malviya Nagar and Saket Metro stations. All commuters have to do is book their rides through the app.
On day one, Radipo, which seeks to create a viable commute option for urban city dwellers keeping technology at the forefront, had parked bikes at the Hauz Khas Metro station. “But we had to leave on the second day because we were not getting parking. Now we are getting favourable response from commuters at Saket and Malviya Nagar who are getting lift from our bikers to places like Katwariya Sarai and Geetanjali Enclave. Quite a few young employees who work at Select City Walk use the Metro. They find our bikes convenient,” says Bharath T., Head of Operations, Gurgaon at Rapido.
Pillion riders are being given not just getting helmets but also a skullcap, which stops the flow of sweat .
Varun Dhar, who lives at Saket, says: “With the Government’s rule coming into effect, I am not able to use my newly purchased Swift to office at South Extension. But I support this initiative because it is helping reduce emissions and pollution. Tackling the city’s hazardous air conditions is the need of the hour.”
Aravind Sanka, Rapido co-founder, says: “Just as this entire exercise is trying its best to substantially reduce the number of cars from the streets and thereby diminish pollution, we are also trying to solve the mounting intra-city traffic predicaments. We are part of the initiative and are offering free and easy commute to the travellers till April 30.”
Helping ride
With the aim to help women commuters of Metro during the ongoing odd-even policy , Lohia Auto Industries is plying e-rickshaws at four stations. Around four to five vehicles have been allocated for four stations – Rithala, East Rohini, West Rohini and Pitampura – to ferry women passengers free to help them overcome the problem of last mile connectivity.
Initially, the company launched the initiative with the idea of helping women commuters during the impending strike by auto and taxis. “Though ultimately the strike was withdrawn, we decided to go ahead with the plan. The four stations chosen because of a very large number of e-rickshaws being used there and also fairly huge women commuters,” explains Ayush Lohia, the company’s CEO.
Arrangements have been made to oversee the smooth plying of these vehicles from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. by personnel deployed at the stations. Happy with the response so far, Lohia has decided to provide free services to senior citizens while also planning to offer these services permanently if the Government decides to implement the odd-even policy on regular basis. “We will have dedicated staff to implement and supervise it,” he says.
