In its bid to provide last mile connectivity for the safety of passengers, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday extended the e-rickshaw services to 12 more metro stations spread across Delhi Metro network, taking the total tally of stations to 29 where a fleet of over 1,000 e-rickshaws now becomes operational. DMRC also on Wednesday flagged off this fleet of around 250 e-rickshaws, called 'SmartE', from Patel Nagar metro station.
AK Garg, Director (Operations) of DMRC on Wednesday extended the facility to 12 more station with inaugurating over 250 e-rickshaws at Patel Nagar metro stations.
Currently, there are about 800 e-rickshaws plying across city from 17 Metro stations facilitating over one lakh passengers to reach their destinations/stations daily. "With this addition, the number of e-rickshaws has gone beyond 1000 covering 29 Metro stations. 12 more stations are likely to be extended with the same facility within next 2-3 months wherein around 500 more e-rickshaws will be put into service to strengthen the last mile connectivity," said an official.
The 250 E-rickshaws will be plying from 12 stations such as Qutab Minar, Ghittorni, Arjangarh, Nawada, Shadipur, Patel Nagar, Nangloi, Nangloi Railway Station, Govindpuri, Harkesh Nagar Okhla, Moolchand and Botanical Garden. The services of last mile connectivity services will start from the nearby localities of these stations from 6:00AM to 11:00 PM.
Besides, these 'SmartE' are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) for safety of commuters. Also, the rickshaws are designed with proper head covered cabin and full front windscreen to provide the last mile connectivity within an area of 3-4 KM around Metro stations.
"The fares have been kept very nominal at a base price of Rs10 for the first 2 KM and Rs 5 for every subsequent KM. The commuters can also book vehicles through the SmartE app and pay digitally for their rides," said the spokesperson of DMRC.
Apart from the smart e rickshaw, the DMRC in the recent years, has introduced many eco-friendly initiatives to ensure a robust last mile connectivity system such as feeder buses, e-rickshaw services, installations of cab aggregator kiosks at around 12 stations, e-scooter and public bicycle sharing services in about 36 of its stations.