Ola announced to offer the option of an electric rickshaw among other modes of transport to its customers. The new offering will be deployed in the regions of Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. As part of the ‘Stand-Up India Initiative’ to promote entrepreneurial spirit in the country, the president of the country Mr. Narendra Modi was invited to the launch ceremony.
According to Ola’s COO- Mr. Pranay Jivrajika, the company will initiate a fleet of 5,100 e-rickshaws which have been facilitated in association Bhartiya Micro Credit (BMC), and the service is aimed to penetrate local towns and tier 3 cities soon.
Small towns and cities lack transportation infrastructure and e-rickshaws provide as an eco-friendly method of traveling. With about 5 million rickshaw drivers in a country whose population mostly lives in small towns, the new effort will provide much utility, he continued.
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Ola has stated that the customer will require paying no premium for booking an e-rickshaw. The driver who is commissioned the fare shall pay a 10% commission to the cabby company. Customers will pay a minimum fare of Rs.25 for the first 2kms and Rs.8/km. thereon.
These fares will vary depending on the city or town, but Ola also expects to introduce ‘ride-sharing’ for the e-rickshaws to ease on individual ride expenses.
Fares can either be paid in cash or using Ola Money. A Recent partnership with ‘FreeCharge’ a digital payments solutions provider will also allow customers to pay for their fares via a chat app.
As part of strengthening their fleet, Ola will not only provide rickshaw drivers with assistance in procuring e-rickshaws but also extend formal training through specialized centers across business geographies.
Featured Image: Daily Mail
