Chennai, September 04, 2023: Rapido, India's leading bike taxi aggregator, has taken a significant step towards empowering women in Chennai with the launch of its ‘Bike Pink’ service at Urban Square, Kathipara, today. The inaugural event was graced by Hon’ble Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Member of Parliament, South Chennai Parliamentary Constituency, who flagged off this pioneering service. Shravya Reddy, Chief of Staff Rapido and Rohit Rathod, Director of Bike Taxi operations were also present at the event. The 'Bike Pink' service marks the first-of-its-kind in Tamil Nadu for women riders and captains, underscoring Rapido's unwavering commitment to women's empowerment and the creation of new employment opportunities. This unique service is tailored to meet the needs of women riders by providing them with women captains for their daily commute. It will provide more transportation choices for female riders while also ensuring convenient last-mile connectivity.
In the first phase of its new service launch, Rapido will provide 25 electric bikes (EV) for women captains who are facing financial challenges. This service will address their need for accessible transportation and income opportunities. Furthermore, Rapido will equip women captains with essential safety and driving skills through comprehensive training programs in collaboration with different NGOs.
Currently, Rapido has over 100 active female captains in Chennai, hailing from diverse and challenging backgrounds. However, Rapido aims to onboard more than 500 active captains in the next 3 months through collaborations with various NGOs. This service will enable women to earn between Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 per day, translating to a monthly income of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000, all through Rapido's ‘Bike Pink’ service.
Expressing his enthusiasm for ‘Rapido Bike Pink' service, Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, Rapido said, "We believe in the power of women to drive change and progress in society. Bike Pink is our way of not only providing last mile connectivity to women riders but also creating meaningful income opportunities for our women bike-taxi captains. We are committed to expanding this service and empowering women from all walks of life."
Commenting on the service launch, Hon’ble Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Member of the Parliament, South Chennai Parliamentary Constituency said, “The introduction of Rapido's Bike Pink service in Chennai is a commendable step forward, offering female riders a reliable mode of transportation and creating more opportunities for women to thrive, both in terms of safe mobility and employment prospects. This pioneering endeavour not only empowers women but also exemplifies the spirit of progress and inclusivity. By providing female captains with opportunities for economic independence, Rapido has taken a significant step towards a more equitable future. I commend their efforts and look forward to witnessing the positive impact this service will have on the lives of women in our city.”
Shravya Reddy, Chief of Staff Rapido said, "I'm thrilled about 'Bike Pink,' where women captains will find better earning opportunities in Chennai. This service will help both women captains and riders, and drive women empowerment in the city."
In Chennai, Rapido Pink will be functional near Green Line Metro stations at Anna Nagar East Metro, Shenoy Nagar Metro, Pachiyappa’s College Metro, Nehru Park Metro, Egmore Metro. The service will also be operational near Blue Line Metro Stations: Little Mount Metro, Saidapet Metro, Nandanam Metro, Teynampet Metro, AG-DMS Metro, Thousand Lights Metro, Government Estate Metro. Other areas where Rapido Pink will be plying include Nungambakkam, Kilpauk, T Nagar, Mylapore, Teynampet, Shenoy Nagar, Egmore, Royapettah, Alwarpet, Thousand Lights, Saidapet, Little Mount, Chepauk, Kotturpuram, Egmore, Triplicane. Rapido Pink service will be functional around 10+ women colleges including Ethiraj college for Women, Stella Maris college for Women, Queen Maris college for Women, MOP Vaishnav college for Women, SIET Women’s college, Quaid-E-Millath college for Women and Chellamal women’s college.
Rapido's women-centric initiatives have already touched countless lives and created a profound impact on women in Chennai, encompassing both riders and captains. Through this service, Rapido will multiply its impact by aiding single mothers grappling with financial constraints, empowering married women who choose family care over full-time jobs, enabling differently-abled women to serve as full-time captains, and facilitating career transitions for individuals like a 52-year-old former nurse.
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