Rapido: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Urban Transport

Rapido, founded in 2015, has swiftly risen to dominate India’s bike taxi market, revolutionizing urban transportation. With its headquarters in Bangalore, Rapido tackles the critical issues of traffic congestion and last-mile connectivity in bustling cities. It utilizes a powerful digital platform that seamlessly connects commuters with a vast network of ‘captains’—its dedicated bike riders.

The Rapido mobile app, available on both Android and iOS, guarantees a frictionless booking experience, offering rides that are affordable, safe, and efficient. The app’s integration of real-time tracking, digital payments, and customer feedback mechanisms ensures reliability and enhances user satisfaction. Rapido’s unwavering commitment to safety shines through its mandatory captain training programs and rigorous safety protocols.

Rapido has expanded its reach to over 100 cities, serving millions of users. Its innovative approach and flexible business model have earned significant investor confidence, evident in multiple rounds of funding. Furthermore, its eco-friendly fleet helps reduce carbon emissions, aligning perfectly with goals for sustainable urban mobility.

Rapido consistently sets industry benchmarks, driven by its vision of making urban commutes faster, more economical, and environmentally friendly.

In an exclusive exchange with The Interview World, Rizwanullah Md Shaikh, Vice President of CSD at Rapido, delves into recent advancements enhancing last-mile connectivity, the adoption of disruptive technologies in the ride-hailing sector, and the measures implemented to prevent accidents. He also sheds light on specific safety measures for female riders at night and outlines Rapido’s city expansion plans. Here are the key insights from his interview.

Q: How have recent advancements and initiatives improved last-mile connectivity in urban and rural areas?

A: When Rapido entered the market, it tackled a critical challenge: last-mile connectivity. Many of our cities lack the robust public transport systems found in Delhi, and given the road conditions and traffic volume, two-wheelers emerged as the fastest and most affordable mode of transportation.

However, ensuring safety was paramount. The concept was clear, but the execution needed to focus on making the platform safe for everyone. Over the past 7-8 years, we have significantly enhanced safety measures. We start by conducting gold-standard background checks and court record verifications for our captains, ensuring no unsuitable individuals join our system, thereby protecting our passengers.

This rigorous screening is just the first step. We then provide comprehensive training for our captains. Once they begin operating, we implement various safety interventions. For instance, we ensure helmets are provided, and during COVID, we mandated masks and sanitizers. Additionally, we automate speed checks to maintain safe driving speeds, benchmarked against city traffic patterns during peak and off-peak hours. If a captain exceeds these speeds, they receive immediate warnings.

We also proactively monitor the entire journey, tracking the routes taken. If there’s a route deviation, the customer is alerted with three options: confirming their comfort with the change, redirecting the captain, or contacting the police at 112.

On the road, human factors sometimes lead to issues such as captains requesting extra money or ending rides prematurely. To counter this, if a ride is marked to end at an unplanned location, we immediately contact the customer for confirmation. Until the customer approves, the ride cannot be concluded.

These comprehensive measures ensure that Rapido provides not only a convenient but also a safe transportation solution in urban environments.

Q: What are some of the most impactful disruptive technologies currently being applied, and how are they transforming ride-hailing companies?

A: We’ve implemented cutting-edge face authorization technology, now a staple in the ride-hailing industry, to eliminate impersonation and ensure secure rides. For any irregular situations, we don’t just sit back; we proactively engage with customers and conduct thorough checks.

Our commitment to ride safety is unwavering. With our SOS button, help is never more than a click away. It connects directly to our emergency response team, which operates in multiple cities and works seamlessly with local authorities. This means anyone pressing the SOS button receives rapid, reliable assistance, complete with ambulance support if needed.

Q: What measures are people taking to prevent accidents?

A: As previously outlined, we’re adamant about scrutinizing feedback on rash driving to ensure our drivers meet our rigorous safety standards. Quality is non-negotiable.

This commitment extends beyond our bikes to our cabs as well. We routinely bring drivers to our city offices for evaluations. We’re also forging a strategic partnership with Maruti Suzuki to craft a bespoke service plan, and we’re exploring collaborations with other key players. During servicing, these stations will determine whether the vehicles are fit for our platform.

For bikes, we impose strict age restrictions to maintain platform standards. When onboarding captains, we rigorously review any active challans and their details, leaving no room for safety oversights.

Q: What specific measures are you implementing to ensure the safety of female riders, particularly during nighttime?

A: Rapido features an exceptional safety measure: every ride from 10 PM to 5 AM is meticulously monitored. We track the journey’s progress and verify that the rider reaches their destination as planned. After each drop-off, we promptly confirm with the customer that they have arrived home safely.

Should a customer fail to respond or remain unreachable, we immediately deploy our emergency response teams. Our priority is to ensure their safety and well-being without delay.

Q: What are the upcoming cities you plan to expand to in the near future?

A: We’re already established in nearly every tier-2 city and most tier-3 cities. Whenever a city needs bike-taxi services or struggles with last-mile connectivity, we’re on it. We don’t just show up—we solve problems and make sure we’re there to deliver.