A fleet of women-operated electric autorickshaws was introduced at Indiranagar and Yelachenahalli metro stations on Wednesday, February 28, to enhance first and last-mile connectivity for commuters at Bengaluru’s Namma Metro stations.
Low Emission Access to Public Transport (LEAP), an initiative of Alstom, a multinational company that offers solutions for a low-carbon future, has been undertaken in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI), India, a research organisation that aims to influence civil society actions and government policies.
The other collaborators include Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and MetroRide, a first and last-mile connectivity app.
In a conversation with PTI, managing director of Alstom India, Olivier Loison, said, “As part of the pilot phase of the programme, we will have electric autos deployed as a last-mile service at Indiranagar and Yelachenahalli stations, serving commuters in a radius of 4 km from each station.”
It is to be noted that the pilot initiative was introduced by former MP Rajeev Gowda, member of the Brand Bengaluru Committee and vice chairman of the State Institute for the Transformation of Karnataka. BMRCL’s executive director, Kalpana Kataria, was also present during the launch event.
Olivier Loison further said that Indiranagar was chosen as a pilot project because it’s a commercial hub close to the city centre and therefore, witnesses heavy traffic movement. Although Yelachenahalli metro station is primarily a residential area, it is rapidly transforming into a major IT hub.
As per Loison, sustainable transport options in Indiranagar and Yelachenahalli metro stations can remarkably benefit commuters by bridging last-mile connectivity problems. Shifting gears to why women drivers were specifically brought under the programme, he said that this was done to ensure gender inclusivity and also considering the fact that women will feel safer with women drivers of e-autos.
According to the news agency, Loison believes that the lessons learned from this initiative will serve as a blueprint for scaling similar solutions. It is a collective challenge, and they and their partners are working for the convenience of the people of Bengaluru.
Among the women drivers was Saraswati, a 40-year-old widow, who opted to drive an autorickshaw three years ago after the demise of her husband. While speaking to PTI, Saraswati said that being engaged with MetroRide has been a lifesaver for her as she didn’t have to invest upfront in buying an auto. Moreover, she gets to choose her working hours.
Elaborating further, Saraswati, who is driving an auto at the Yelachenahalli metro station, close to her home, said that she has opted for morning shifts. She finishes her duty by 4 pm so that she can go home before her daughters return from college. She is paid Rs 800 every day, even if she doesn’t manage to get many rides.
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