With a whole new distinct identity, the green autos aka e-rickshaws which are both economically and environmentally sustainable are ready to drive into the league of on-demand online short distance rental vehicle service, which was once dominated by a few corporate biggies like Olacabs, Uber. The rental cab booking service using mobile applications after easing the lives of people residing in metropolitans is now fast capturing the market here and soon Ranchiites will have a new option in their pooled money for booking the environment friendly cab online.
In a bid to popularise the service of e-autos among the denizens, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) had recently collaborated with a local enterprise to expand the service of green autos here. After much brainstorming, the State’s biggest Urban Local Body (ULB) is all set to launch ‘Humsafar’.
According to the In-charge of RMC Transportation Cell, the Civic Body in association with a startup venture – Eco Gadi Taxi Services will commence the service of e-rickshaw booking covering a stretch of 16 Km within the municipal jurisdiction from September 20.
“All preliminary arrangements for starting the booking service of e-rickshaws have been completed. On a pilot basis, the service provider has kept specially designed 35-40 e-rickshaws in reserve. As per the requirement, the concerned firm will expand the business, following the terms and conditions,” said RMC City Manager and Transportation Cell In-Charge Saurabh Kumar on Sunday.
For more comfort, the features of light utility vehicles have been slightly modified for the purpose. Taking into account, the safety of the passengers on priority, the special purpose e-rickshaws will have Global Positioning System (GPS) and high resolution close-circuits cameras with 360 views installed inside the vehicle.
“The special purpose e-rickshaws will work through a mobile application, however, for the time being, any passenger can make their booking through a toll-free number, which will be released soon. Besides, the toll-free number, the company will also release as many as eight mobile numbers simultaneously. In a while, a dedicated mobile application will be also launched, said,” Akshay Malpani of Eco Gadi Taxi Services, the service provider.
Notably, the company has roped in women driver in sufficient numbers to make this venture, a success. “Considering its operation time which is approximately 18 hours a day, starting from 3:30 AM to 12 AM, female drivers are apt choice for this. The training of women drivers has been completed. After the launch of e-rickshaw booking service, end to end booking (From picking spot to dropping destination) will be done. Each driver will be given an android-based mobile phone to monitor their activity,” Malpani added.
The model of 23 year old entrepreneur Malpani received appreciations from the State government recently. The State government is devising on different methodologies to streamline the inept urban transportation system in the State Capital, keeping eco-transportation modes in focal point. Interestingly, for the first two days, the commuters can avail the booking service free of cost. “Regular charges are yet to be finalised but as per the agreement, for two days, the company will bear the cost of booking for every passenger,” Malpani further asserted.