Bike-taxis are one of the cheapest ways to commute to and from a metro station, however, many women travellers do not explore this option as they do not feel comfortable sitting in close proximity with an unknown man. Those who do, have complained of the men bike riders behaving rudely, making lewd remarks or driving rashly with an intention to harass the woman passenger riding pillion.
Now, women commuters of Delhi Metro can finally enjoy safer bike rides and be driven by women. The initiative named ‘SHERYDS’, not just gives the passenger a safer and more comfortable option but also provides employment opportunities for many women who can ride a motorcycle.
The service was launched on Monday at 12 metro stations across the National Capital, customers can avail the service from its official mobile app DMRC Momentum (Delhi Sarthi 2.0). People can avail two types of bike taxis namely, SHERYDS, for women, and RYDR- for all commuters.
These metro stations include Dwarka Sec-21, Dwarka Sec-10, Dwarka Sec-14, Dwarka Mor, Janakpuri West, Uttam Nagar East, Rajouri Garden, Subhash Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Karol Bagh, Millennium City Centre Gurugram and Palam. The all-women bike taxi fleet will have trained and verified female riders and will provide real-time ride monitoring.
A Delhi metro official said the service focuses on easing first and last-mile connectivity, “This is a custom-tailored initiative designed to meet the needs and preferences of female metro commuters. It also empowers women to travel independently at their convenience with safety to their destination.” He added that SHERYDS also offers women drivers an opportunity to earn a living.
Unlike traditional models where drivers may travel long distances, these bike rides keep riders within a specified radius, which ensures both safety and reduced travel time.
The bike taxi service, introduced by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in partnership with the First And Last Mile Connectivity India Pvt. Ltd, comprises a total of 50 SHERYDS and 150 RYDR motorbikes, which will operate from these stations in a radius of around three to five kilometres between 8 am and 9 pm. The rides have a minimum charge of Rs. 10 followed by Rs. 10 per kilometre for the first two kilometres and thereafter, Rs. 8 per kilometre.
“Subsequently over 100 stations will be covered with this facility in a month’s time, and remaining stations will be covered in next three months thus further strengthening the last mile connectivity across all 250 Metro stations of DMRC thereby taking the total count of SHERYDS and RYDER to around 1000 each,” the official said.
