DMRC to provide last-mile services
With last-mile connectivity posing a major hurdle in ensuring seamless Metro travel for commuters, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is all set to provide various mobility services like bike taxis, auto-rickshaws and cab services. In the first phase, 10 stations will offer these services.
The collaboration between DMRC and Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Ltd aims to provide affordable, reliable and safe last-mile connectivity services from DMRC metro stations. These services will offer commuters multiple travel options based on distance, time, affordability and convenience, thereby reducing dependence on unorganised or informal modes of transport, DMRC officials said here on Wednesday.
In this regard, DMRC has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Ltd. (STCL), a multi-state cooperative society and a cooperative-based mobility service provider operating the mobility platform branded as "Bharat Taxi".
The "Bharat Taxi" platform is an initiative of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, and is designed to promote cooperative-based economic models while ensuring fair and transparent service delivery.
Under the proposed arrangement, Sahkar Taxi shall operate bike taxis, auto rickshaws and cab services on a marketplace (aggregator) model for last-mile connectivity initially from 10 identified metro stations.
In addition, as part of the initial pilot phase, dedicated bike taxi services shall be deployed at two metro stations, namely Millennium City Centre and Botanical Garden, by 31st January.
The pilot deployment will help assess commuter response, operational feasibility and service effectiveness before further expansion. A key feature of this initiative is digital integration to ensure a seamless passenger experience. The "Bharat Taxi" mobile application, available for download on the Android and iOS platforms, shall be integrated with the DMRC Sarthi application.
Following this integration, door-to-door mobility services will be made available to DMRC commuters through a unified digital platform, allowing passengers to plan, book and access metro and last-mile services in a single journey flow.
The integration of apps will enable passengers to identify available last-mile options at metro stations, obtain fare estimates, track vehicles, and complete their journeys conveniently. This digital approach is expected to improve transparency, reduce waiting time, and enhance overall service reliability for metro commuters.
Fare rates under this initiative shall remain competitive in comparison to existing market offerings.
While peak-hour pricing may apply in line with demand variations, peak-time fare surges shall be capped to ensure affordability and protect passenger interests. The fare structure is designed to strike a balance between passenger convenience and the economic sustainability of service providers.
Officials said the DMRC initiative is in line with the vision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and is set to introduce Integrated Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) services from metro stations to enhance passenger convenience and ensure seamless end-to-end urban mobility across the National Capital Region (NCR).
