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<ul><li>A report by Ola Mobility Institute said that shared transportation will be a major contributing factor in the growth of EVs. </li><li>Two-wheelers and three-wheelers have the highest demand in India. </li><li>However, given India’s infrastructural problems from bad roads to lack of charging stations, the EV journey has multiple challenges. </li></ul>On the Indian roads one cannot miss the overwhelming presence of two-wheelers and three-wheelers. So it’s no surprise that they will form a major part of India’s electric vehicles mission. A report on electric mobility published by Ola Mobility Institute said that it’s shared transportation that can only push the growth of EVs. India has been shifting its gears in transportation to embrace Electric Vehicles (EVs). While news about India’s top auto manufacturers introducing electric vehicle manufacturing doesn’t surprise one now, questions still lurk about the country’s acceptance to EVs because of lack of proper infrastructure. “Unlike Western models, India may not easily kick start its electric journey by deploying premium electric cars. Instead, it makes sense to focus on electrifying vehicles with the highest demand and utility in the Indian context: two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The rickshaw is already proliferating in electric variants, suggesting it is both viable and practical. Thus, appropriate prioritisation of vehicle segments for electrification may prove to be critical to the adoption of e-mobility,” stated the report. Ola’s report is based on its pilot project in Nagpur, while its on a mission to bring 1 million EVs on Indian roads by 2022. The government expects that 25% of all vehicles on the roads will be EVs by 2030. And the push has to come with two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which today occupy over 80% of total Indian vehicles and also contribute to 35% of pollution in India, according to a report by NITI Aayog and World Energy Council. The Indian government too has been promoting the use and manufacture of EVs. Under the FAME II scheme, the government is <a href="https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/government-tightens-localisation-norms-for-electric-vehicles/68294648">offering</a> direct subsidies of upto ₹88 billion to consumers who are adopting EVs. However, given India’s infrastructural problems from bad roads to lack of charging stations, the EV journey has a few speed bumps. Another challenge is the high electricity tariff. Ola’s report states, “Although the cost of electricity shrunk significantly post the implementation of special EV tariff in October 2018, the tariff continues to be unfavorable for TCO (Total Cost Opportunity) economics to work.” With drivers too having had little or no exposure to electric vehicles, it is another task when it comes to the adoption of EVs. In fact, Ola’s initial plan of electric mobility in Nagpur also faced trouble when drivers started reportedly returning the vehicles.

India's EV mission will be incomplete without two wheelers and tuk tuks but not without a few speed bumps

An association of owners and drivers of taxis and autos protested at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, demanding inquiry and action against cab aggregator companies like Uber and Ola. 
 As per the newly-formed "<keyword id="3434885" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jai-Bhagwan-Taxi-Rickshaw-Sanghatana">Jai Bhagwan Taxi Rickshaw Sanghatana</keyword>," the transport charge of Rs 6 per km which is being offered by these aggregators is not fair since the rate is fixed at Rs 8 per km. 
 
The association also alleged that the government has joined hands with these service providers, conspiring to wipe off taxis and rickshaws from Mumbai roads. 
 Association president <keyword id="3434894" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bala-Sanap">Bala Sanap</keyword> threatened that he would take taxis off roads from July 26 in case the government fails to order an inquiry against these aggregators. 
 
However, the Mumbai Taximen's Union, which is one of Mumbai’s largest unions, did not participate in the protest. 
 
<a href="http://images.indianexpress.com/2015/06/auto-strike.jpg">Image source</a>

Mumbai’s taxi and auto drivers’ aassociation is not happy with Ola and Uber’s low rates

<keyword id="2069722" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="TaxiPixi">TaxiPixi</keyword>, an aggregator app that lets users book a radio cab from any of the multiple operators and track the taxi in real time, has raised an undisclosed amount in <keyword id="6357455" type="EVENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Funding">funding</keyword> from <keyword id="1395988" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Celkon-Mobiles">Celkon Mobiles</keyword>, a Hyderabad-based firm specialising in mobile phone solutions and wireless technologies. Celkon has invested in the Delhi-based start-up <keyword id="2069723" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="On-Time-Technologies-Pvt-Ltd">On Time Technologies Pvt Ltd</keyword>, the company behind TaxiPixi. Launched in May 2013, it is India’s first-ever multi-operator <keyword id="2069724" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cab-booking-app">cab booking app</keyword> and currently covers as many as 10 Indian cities. The <keyword id="6355645" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="android">Android</keyword> version of the app (requires Android 2.2 and up) can be <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taxipixi.taxiexchange&amp;hl=en">downloaded</a> for free from <keyword id="6369511" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google-Play-Store">Google Play Store</keyword>. Last we checked, its rating was 4.1 while download numbers are nearly 50,000, according to the company. TaxiPixi has also launched an <keyword id="75489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IOS">iOS</keyword> version in December last year and you can <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/taxipixi/id781567726?mt=8">download</a> it for free from <keyword id="95161" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="itunes">iTunes</keyword>. 
 As part of the deal, Celkon will pre-embed TaxiPixi application in all its compatible smartphones selling in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and <keyword id="6355117" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="South-Africa">South Africa</keyword>. The company will also promote the app to its existing consumers through Celkon app store and website. “With this funding, we have started diversifying our business and exploring new opportunities in the mobile application segment,” said <keyword id="2069742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Pradeep-Yerraguntla">Pradeep Yerraguntla</keyword>, <keyword id="2069743" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="head-of-digital-business-at-Celkon">head of digital business at Celkon</keyword>. 
 Although the amount raised by the start-up has not been disclosed, TaxiPixi <keyword id="192769" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="co-founder-and-CEO">co-founder and CEO</keyword> <keyword id="1963686" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kajal-Dubey">Kajal Dubey</keyword> has told Business Insider India the money would be utilised to extend its operations across tier II and tier III cities. The company will also expand its services to <keyword id="8695" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Malaysia">Malaysia</keyword> and users hailing from <keyword id="6372507" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kuala-Lumpur">Kuala Lumpur</keyword> can start using the app from mid-March this year. 
 
“Our aim is to leverage Celkon’s innovative products to build engagement with young consumers as they enjoy experimenting with exciting technology products like TaxiPixi, which ensures convenience, comfort and great user experience. With this deal, we are aiming to add up to 100K users every month through Celkon,” says Kajal. 
 So how does this app work and how do you benefit? Unlike other cab booking apps, this one allows users to send cab booking requests directly to the <keyword id="6366401" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Driver">driver</keyword>s of several radio taxi companies. New operators are added to the TaxiPixi platform only after a thorough verification of documents, permits and licences of each cab and driver. However, this essentially means you can contact not just one driver/operator but several, at one go, and your request reaches them in just 15 seconds. All you need to do is provide the pick-up address and destination (you can do it using the map or simply type it in) and specify the pick-up time and the type of cab. 
 TaxiPixi offers three different types of cabs – <keyword id="2069749" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economy-radio-taxi">economy radio taxi</keyword>, <keyword id="2069754" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sedan-taxi">sedan taxi</keyword> and <keyword id="2069755" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sedan-radio-taxi">sedan radio taxi</keyword> – and charges a fixed fee per booking. Users get instant confirmation as soon as requests are accepted or get a notification within 15 minutes, suggesting further upgrades in terms of booking to ensure confirmation. You can book your cab for point-to-point commute and opt for an <keyword id="2069757" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hourly-package">hourly package</keyword>. One can also track the cab in real time as it approaches you or cancel the booking with a single tap. 
 In a bid to expand further and leverage the technology platform even better, the company may soon start an <keyword id="2069759" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auto-rickshaw-booking-service">auto rickshaw booking service</keyword> on similar lines, according to Kajal. “There will be more challenges, of course, when autos come on board as it is with cab booking now. You need both technology and scale to succeed in this business, and that’s what we are focusing on,” she sums up.

Real-time Tracking & Cab Booking App TaxiPixi
Raises Funding

Twitterati just helped a Kerala-based man receive a vehicle of his dreams. It all started with a tweet to <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword> and resulted in a three-wheeler auto-rickshaw driver getting a brand new Supro. The story goes like this: Mahindra Group’s Chairman Anand Mahindra gave a brand new <keyword id="4491507" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mahindra-supro-mini-truck">Mahindra Supro Mini Truck</keyword> to Sunil, a Kerala-based auto driver, in exchange for his rickshaw. Yes, he did as the rickshaw was quite a special one. Sunil had modified his auto rickshaw's rear to look like the rear of a <keyword id="140499" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mahindra-Scorpio">Mahindra Scorpio</keyword>. Anand Mahindra came to know about it through a tweet and tracked Sunil down to keep his auto rickshaw in Mahindra’s museum. In return, he gave Sunil a brand new Supro. Here are the tweets:

Here’s what Anand Mahindra did when he saw a rickshaw modified into Mahindra Scorpio from the rear

<keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword> announced today its launching the auto-rickshaw service in 12 new cities across India. Ola Autos is now available in a total of 24 cities across the country. The company targets to serve at least 2 million daily rides by end of 2017. 
 The new cities that were launched today are Tier II markets of Bhopal, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Kota, Surat, Madurai, Guwahati, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Jodhpur, Visakhapatnam and Udaipur. The24 cities in which <keyword id="2761557" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="OLA-AUTO">Ola Auto</keyword> will be present currently has over 3 million auto-rickshaws, and does over 30 million rides per day. 
 
Nitesh Prakash, Senior Director, Operations at Ola said, “We are widening the choice of urban mobility for citizens over and above our current offerings like Micro and Mini in these markets, taking us closer to our mission of building mobility for a billion Indians.” 
 
The Ola app for auto-drivers is currently available in 8 Indian languages including English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu. The company has over 100,000 auto rickshaws registered on its platform across 24 cities and plans to launch in more cities in the coming months. 
 
<a href="http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/ola-autos_650_123014024245.jpg">Image source</a>

Ola Auto launches into 12 more cities; Target up to 2 million bookings a day by 2017

(Image credit: Facebook) 
 
On May 12, Vineeth Vijayan happened to take an auto from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bengaluru&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bengaluru</a> town to the <keyword id="27558" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Medical-college">medical college</keyword> where his friend’s mother was admitted when he chanced upon this nameless hero disguised as an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=autorickshaw&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">auto-rickshaw</a> driver. 
 
Vijayan, who was suffering from back pain asked the young driver to ride the rickshaw smoothly to which he replied ‘Okay Sir’ in a gentle voice. 
 
He was surprised, mainly because he was expecting an usual rude reply, like he has in the past. 
 
But that wasn’t all. He was in for more surprise at the end of his trip when he asked the driver how much the fare was. Instead of replying with the amount, the young driver just points to a box kept near his seat and replied, ‘Put anything that you think is satisfactory for this ride.’ 
 
The label on the box read, ‘Donation for the poor and needy patients’ 
 
It was only after he left did Vijayan get to know his incredible story, from the security personnel at the hospital. 
 As it turns out, the <keyword id="73220" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Autorickshaw-driver">autorickshaw driver</keyword> is a 3rd year M.B.B.S student whose father passed away sometime back and whose elder brother is paralysed. He also has two younger sisters. 
 
The superintendent of the hospital had given him the auto as a gift for passing his exams with good marks. Since then, he has been offering rides to the medical college for free or asks people to put some money in the box. 
 
At the end of every month, he uses that money for the treatment of the needy people in the hospital. 
 
This only goes on to be prove that all you need is a big heart to be a hero. This young man is a reminder of the fact that not all superheroes wear capes. 
 
Vijayan also posted about his ride on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=facebook&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Facebook</a>. 
 
Here’s the original post-

This M.B.B.S student drives an auto in Bengaluru to
raise money for the needy

New Delhi, Mar 31 () Ride-hailing platform Ola on Tuesday said it will offer interest-free credit of up to Rs 3,600 to driver-partners to help them meet immediate household expenses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under its 'Sahyog' programme, Ola will offer pre-approved credit of up to Rs 3,600 to be disbursed over three weeks using the microfinance lending platform, Avail Finance, a statement said. The amount will be offered interest-free to drivers operating auto-rickshaws, cabs, kaali-peelis and taxis on the Ola platform, it added. "The programme is expected to impact over one lakh families who are in need of liquidity for immediate household expenses. The loan will aim to supplant the incomes of hundreds of thousands of driver-partners who haven't had a steady source of income due to the nationwide lockdown," it said. The credit shall be set off against earnings on the platform over a period upon return of normalcy in business, it added. "'Sahyog' enables them to access micro-credit instantly, in their registered bank accounts, allowing drivers and their families to tide through these difficult times with much needed liquidity. "We are committed to doing everything we can to reduce the economic burden and safeguard the interests of our driver-partners and their families through these unprecedented times," Ola spokesperson said. Ankush Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Avail Finance said the company's platform will help Ola identify eligible driver partners as well as to manage disbursement of credit in real-time. With the implementation of the lockdown, the government has allowed only people in essential services like healthcare, banking and media to commute. Restricted mobility has left driver-partners of cab services like Ola and Uber with no source of income. SR SHWSHW

COVID-19: Ola offers interest-free micro credit to driver-partners

New Delhi, Mar 27 () Ride-hailing major Ola on Friday launched a fund to support auto-rickshaw, cab, Kaali-Peeli and taxi drivers across India amid the ongoing 21-day lockdown. Besides, Ola co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal will forgo salary for one year that will go towards the fund. Launched under Ola Foundation, the 'Drive the Driver Fund' will support the drivers through contributions from the Ola group, investors and via a crowdfunding platform for citizens and other institutions, a statement said. "The proceeds of the fund will help towards the welfare and upliftment of drivers and their families who have been affected by the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic," it added. Ola Group and employees are contributing an initial capital of Rs 20 crore to the fund and through the crowdfunding campaign, the intent is to raise up to Rs 50 crore. "The mobility industry has been brought to a grinding standstill during these stressed times, and the driver community has been finding it hard to pay for their family expenses without a source of income," the statement said. Ola's initiative aims to bring together multiple stakeholders in the ecosystem such as customers, investors and partner organisations to participate in supporting millions of drivers and their families across India, it added. This initiative will focus on key areas such as emergency support and essential supplies. In due course, Ola Foundation will also take up initiatives to support drivers in areas such as aid for children's education, among others. "Millions of drivers and their families have been affected, and even a humble contribution can have a lasting impact on their wellbeing. We invite all the stakeholders of the mobility industry to join us in every way you can, and support the people who move us in this difficult phase," an Ola spokesperson said. Ola has undertaken a number of measures, including launching a special COVID-19 insurance cover exclusive for their driver partners and their spouses. These steps are aimed at helping driver-partners and customers through the coronavirus outbreak. The number of positive coronavirus case in India has touched 724 till date. SR HRS

COVID-19: Ola launches fund to help drivers, CEO to forego a year salary

<ul><li>In Delhi alone, up to 22,369 acres of space can be saved by adopting rideshare (assuming rideshare substitutes for private cars), which is almost 4 times the size of <keyword id="184708" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi-Airport">Indira Gandhi Airport</keyword>. </li><li>Substituting <keyword id="6425768" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ridesharing">ridesharing</keyword> for private cars could eliminate between 33%-68% of the total cars on the road and in-turn reduces congestion by 17%-31% across these cities. </li><li>Commuters take 1.5 times longer to travel a given distance during peak hours, compared to travel time during non-peak hours.</li></ul> The Indian government is doing away with the mandate that people require a commercial <keyword id="6361020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Licence">licence</keyword> to drive taxis, autos, e-rickshaws and two-wheelers (for delivery). This would be good news for many and may also help reduce corruption in the issuance of commercial licenses. Up till now, people had to first get a private licence and then wait one year to get the commercial licence. This roundabout way has been done away with, however, the commercial driving licence remains mandatory for those driving trucks, buses and other heavy commercial vehicles. That said, there are some inhibitions that this move will increase congestion on the roads. Anil Chikkara, an expert on transport issues, told <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/commercial-driving-licence-not-needed-for-taxis-autos/articleshow/63822859.cms">The Times Of India</a>, “In an ideal condition, one cab replaces at least six private cars and an autorickshaw substitutes over a dozen cars since these are on the move and need little parking space.” And by that logic, this move will help ease the problem. Chikkara’s comment is echoed in a study by <keyword id="136162" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boston-Consulting-Group">Boston Consulting Group</keyword> commissioned by <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword>, which says ridesharing could help deal with a mammoth problem - parking. If embraced, 760 to 22,000 acres of parking space in four primary cities -- Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore -- could be used for other purposes. In Delhi alone, up to 22,369 acres of space can be saved by adopting rideshare (assuming rideshare substitutes for private cars), which is almost 4 times the size of Indira Gandhi Airport. According to the report, peak congestion in cities averages 149% which is substantially higher than other comparable cities around Asia. Commuters take 1.5 times longer to travel a given distance during peak hours, compared to travel time during non-peak hours. This is currently estimated to cost a whopping $22 billion per year - and that is only in the four primary cities. Substituting ridesharing for private cars could eliminate between 33%-68% of the total cars on the road and in-turn reduces congestion by 17%-31% across these cities. According to Barney Harford, COO of Uber, "If car ownership trends continue, Indian cities risk coming to a complete standstill in only a few years”. He goes on to say, “Ridesharing can be part of the solution to traffic congestion because it uses technology to get more people into fewer cars. We can unlock our cities and their full potential, but we have to do it together.” A few years back, an average city dweller would baulk at the idea of sharing their taxi with anyone. Cut to 2017-2018, not only is ridesharing becoming acceptable, many in fact consider it to be a preferred way to travel. According to the report, over 79% of the respondents from the four primary cities -- Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore -- who plan to buy a car in the next five years said that they would reconsider the move, should the affordability and convenience of ridesharing match or exceed that of owning a car. The move will, of course, help Uber and <keyword id="6354720" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ola">Ola</keyword>, who have been trying to push ridesharing in the countries. Not requiring a commercial license will likely help the companies ramp up the number of drivers who sign up for their services.

You Searched For "auto rickshaw drivers" and got 9 results

India's EV mission will be incomplete without two wheelers and tuk tuks but not without a few speed bumps

Sanchita Dash

Mumbai’s taxi and auto drivers’ aassociation is not happy with Ola and Uber’s low rates

BI India Bureau

Real-time Tracking & Cab Booking App TaxiPixi Raises Funding

Sanghamitra Mandal

Here’s what Anand Mahindra did when he saw a rickshaw modified into Mahindra Scorpio from the rear

BI India Bureau

Ola Auto launches into 12 more cities; Target up to 2 million bookings a day by 2017

BI India Bureau

This M.B.B.S student drives an auto in Bengaluru to raise money for the needy

Poulomi Das

COVID-19: Ola offers interest-free micro credit to driver-partners

PTI

COVID-19: Ola launches fund to help drivers, CEO to forego a year salary

PTI

India just made it easier for people to become Uber/Ola drivers

Kavita Majumdar

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