In a strategic partnership to improve the first- and last-mile connectivity of Delhi-NCR, Rapido has joined hands with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The partnership plans to make commuting a smooth process through metro ticket booking on the Rapido app and the launch of value-for-money bike taxi services to and from metro stations.
Key Features of the Partnership
1. Metro Ticket Booking on Rapido App
By integrating with the open digital platform of ONDC, users can now purchase Delhi Metro tickets from within the Rapido app. This negates the requirement of using several apps or waiting in lines, and the commuting becomes more hassle-free. The government-supported digital trade network ONDC facilitates this interoperability by bridging Rapido with DMRC’s ticketing systems. “We are working towards a future when a commuter in Delhi can book a metro ticket through Rapido and also get dropped to or from the station in one trip,” said Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido.
2. Flat-Rate Bike Taxi Services to Metro Stations
To promote metro commuting, Rapido is providing bike taxi trips to and from metros for a flat charge of ₹25 for travel within 3 km. The service is aimed at facilitating the ‘last-mile’ segment of daily trips—one of the biggest urban mobility gaps. As a promotional offer, the initial metro-associated bike taxi trip is complimentary for new customers.
3. Designated Pickup and Drop-off Locations at Metro Stations
Rapido has made specific pick-up and drop points at major metro stations. These pick-up and drop points have been designed to cut down on traffic and enhance the safety of the riders. Specific points have been demarcated for women passengers as well, reinforcing the platform’s emphasis on inclusivity and safe travel.
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4. Delhi: A Major Market for Rapido
With over 8 lakh (800,000) daily users in Delhi, Rapido considers Delhi to be its biggest market in India. Out of those, over 1 lakh (100,000) commuters use Rapido exclusively in coordination with metro commuting, testifying to the robust demand for combined transport solutions in the capital. Rapido also plans to launch a common ticketing system(Integrated Metro + Bike Ticketing), in which users can buy a single ticket that can be used for metro travel as well as Rapido bike taxi rides. This is being developed and will be rolled out in phases depending upon commuter feedback and integration with technology.
Broader Implications
This partnership between ONDC, DMRC, and Rapido is a crucial move towards smart, integrated urban mobility. Employment of ONDC’s open-source architecture makes the platform neutral, simplifying integration for other mobility players to be on board in the future.
- For riders: This translates to reduced apps, wait time, and optimized travel.
- For DMRC: It supports increasing metro ridership by overcoming the last-mile problem.
- For ONDC: It is an excellent instance of public-private partnership in digital infrastructure.
Written by Pydimarri Hema Harshini
