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<ul><li><keyword id="1042120" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="uber" source="Orion">Uber</keyword> has announced a 12% price hike for cab rides in Delhi.</li><li>The company had earlier announced a 15% price hike in Mumbai.</li><li>The price hike has been done keeping in mind the rising fuel prices.</li></ul>Uber India has today announced a price hike in Delhi, keeping in mind the rising fuel prices. The company has raised the prices of cab rides by 12% in the capital. This is not the first price hike by the company in India. Earlier this month, Uber had <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/uber-hikes-fares-by-15-citing-surge-in-fuel-prices-101648833014231.html">announced</a> a 15% price hike in Mumbai, citing the rising prices of fuel as the reason for the hike. The price hike comes amid protests by cab drivers and unions. Several drivers had staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar earlier this month. "We listen to feedback from drivers and understand that the current rise in fuel prices is causing concern. To help cushion drivers from the impact of the spike in fuel prices, Uber has raised trip fares in Delhi NCR by 12%,” Nitish Bhushan, Head of Central Operations, Uber India said in a statement. “Over the coming weeks, we will continue to track fuel price movements and will take further steps as needed,” Bhushan added. Currently, the petrol and diesel prices in Delhi are ₹105.41 and ₹96.67 respectively. On the other hand, the prices in Mumbai are ₹120.51 and ₹104.77 respectively. In addition to protesting against Uber, drivers in several parts of the country have started a “No AC” <a href="https://telanganatoday.com/cab-drivers-in-hyderabad-to-charge-extra-for-ac-amid-rising-fuel-prices">campaign</a>, wherein they will not turn on the air conditioner in the car and inform the rider about the reason. Further, riders will be given an option to pay an additional amount to turn on the air conditioner. “As AC runs on fuel and it is so expensive right now, it is difficult for us to run the air conditioner at this price. That is why we decided to charge an additional fee for using the air conditioner in the taxis,” a member of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union said in a statement. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-surge-over-5-times-in-2021-22/articleshow/90775731.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales surge over 5 times – Hero Electric, Okinawa corner half the market, Ather’s market share declines</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/petrol-and-diesel-prices-hiked-for-the-13th-time-in-15-days/articleshow/90655551.cms">Petrol and diesel prices hiked for the 13th time in 15 days</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/uber-drivers-are-slamming-the-companys-new-fuel-surcharge-as-woefully-inadequate/articleshow/90278187.cms">Uber drivers are slamming the company's new fuel surcharge as 'woefully inadequate'</a>

Uber announces a 12% price hike for cab rides in Delhi as petrol, diesel prices skyrocket

<keyword id="3149559" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arunabh-Madhur">Arunabh Madhur</keyword> spent 15 years of his life working in brand, media and digital content marketing for a reputed media company, but it was his passion for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bikes">bikes </a>that he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to. 
 
“It also meant taking one chunk of the problems we as individuals face in our country and trying my best to solve it. As luck would have it, the problem coincided with my passion as well,” he says. 
 And, thus was born <keyword id="3149558" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="M-Taxi">M-Taxi</keyword>. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=gurgaon">Gurgaon’</a>s first two-wheeler <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=taxi">taxi </a>hailing service’s aim was to provide last-mile connectivity at a time when traffic and an auto driver’s whims rule the roads. 
 
 
 
Today, this company clocks around 400 rides per day with just 20 bikes, and all under a span of 12 hours. 
 It’s exceptional progress for a bike-hailing service which was formally launched in <keyword id="6361586" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gurgaon">Gurgaon</keyword> during <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=car+free+day">Car Free Day</a> on December 1 last year with just 10 bikes. Though, it’s also true that the work had begun much earlier. 
 
Coming back to the man behind it, Madhur quit his job back in June 2014, and from there followed his brief stint at a startup focusing on branded content which unfortunately didn’t pan out the way he’d intended. It was then he decided to focus on something he was better versed with. 
 
Being a passionate biker himself, the idea of doing something related to bikes was always at the back of his head, aided with the fact that India is the largest manufacturer and consumer base for two-wheelers, however, he gave it a serious thought only after he called it quits at his first startup. 
 
 
 
He realised that last mile connectivity posed a huge gap in our country and the way to success was to allow it within the least possible time and money. 
 
“I was starting to understand how two-wheelers could be integrated in the mix and soon started my research. Getting the legalities took a fair amount of time, but here we are now,” he adds with a smile. 
 
Madhur also observed how the need of the hour was to double up the supply of a mode of transport that would connect individuals from their metro/bus stops to their workplaces or homes. 
 
And, this is where he gave his M-Taxi an edge over his rivals. It won’t only be an app-only service, he decided. 
 
 
 
So, if you use it, you will know that apart from booking a ride on the app, you can also hail a bike when you spot it outside a metro station. There’s another option - Call the toll-free number and book one. 
 
“You don’t get this convenience with an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=M-taxi">Ola</a> or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=uber">Uber</a>. If you don’t book your ride with the Ola/Uber app, you can’t hail a ride. With M-Taxi, that’s not an issue.” 
 
But this was not the only problem he addressed. Some other issues like Ola/Uber's overpriced fares, auto drivers refusing to go by the meter, safety concerns and being stuck in traffic jams were also taken care of by Arunabh. 
 
His two-wheeler taxi service not only evades these issues, but also manages to make the journey much more economical for the passenger. 
 
“Our rides are priced very economically. You pay Rs 20 for the first 3 kms and Rs 5 for every kilometre thereon. There is no additional tax or money cut for the time taken for your journey. Additionally, we also provide helmets which cover your full face, tissues and disposable passenger caps for added security of our passengers,” Madhur explains. 
 
 
 
 
Safety is undoubtedly a priority for him and he doesn’t leave a second to stress on it. “Being a rider myself, I’m aware of the injury points and one of the areas where you get the worst injuries is your head. So, I have ensured that we put in extra resources to get the specific helmets that cover your whole head,” he says. 
 
It’s for the same reason that the services of M-taxi are available only from 8 am to 8 pm. “See, we’re very clear that we’re focusing on last-mile connectivity and short distances. We only cover distances between 2-10 kms. I personally would not want any passenger to be alone on a bike-crossing, highways or empty roads after 8 pm. It’s not safe. ” 
 
He also believes since bikes are an open service, there is very little chance of something going awry with no one noticing. 
 
And, when I prod him further on what he has to say about people assuming that bike transport is more dangerous, especially for women, he has an answer ready. 
 
“What happened to the girl from Snapdeal? She was in an auto and not a bike. Was that really safe?” 
 
He then went on to ascertain that the company is working with an NGO to ensure that can get women riders on board too- just so that they can make the experience more comfortable for women. 
 There are also plans of launching the service in Faridabad next month, integrating the Paytm wallet on the app and clearing out legalities hoping to make two-wheeler taxi services operate in <keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> and Noida- all this while being in the process of raising another round of funding and showcasing M-taxi at Tomorrow Land in Singapore, the global launchpad for startups. 
 
When Arunabh Madhur says that M-taxi is your personal time-saver, be rest assured he isn't kidding. 
 
Image credit: M-taxi

How one man’s passion for bikes gave Gurgaon M Taxi, its first
two-wheeler taxi service

New Delhi, Mar 5 () Third-party insurance premium for cars, two-wheelers and transport vehicles may go up with regulator Irdai proposing substantial increase in premium rates from the next financial year starting April 1, 2020. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has proposed to increase the third-party (TP) motor insurance premium rates for cars below 1,000 cc to Rs 2,182, up about 5.3 per cent from the existing Rs 2,072 during the financial year 2020-21. Similarly, for cars falling between 1,000 cc and 1,500 cc also, premium is being proposed to be increased to Rs 3,383 from the existing Rs 3,221. However, for luxury cars (with engine capacity of over 1,500 cc), no change in TP premium has been proposed from the existing Rs 7,890. Normally, the TP rates are revised from 1 April. The regulator has come out with a draft of new rates for TP premium for the next financial year. It has sought comments from stakeholders on the proposed rates till May 29. According to the draft, TP for two-wheelers below 75 cc is proposed at Rs 506, up from the existing Rs 482. Hike has also been proposed for those between 75 cc and 350 cc. The hike in bikes with engine capacity exceeding 350 cc has been proposed at Rs 2,571 from Rs 2,323. The Irdai also proposed to raise the TP rate for electric cars and two-wheelers. The three-year single TP premium may also be raised to Rs 5,167 from the existing Rs 4,493 for private electric cars not exceeding 30 kilowatts (KW). In case of two-wheelers (not exceeding 3 KW), the new TP premium may go up to Rs 1,040 from the current Rs 888. The rate increase has also been proposed for taxis, buses and trucks. NKD CS HRS

Irdai proposes to hike third-party motor insurance premium on cars, two-wheelers

<ul><li>As part of its new policy to promote electric vehicles, the Telangana government will offer 100% exemption of road tax and registration fee purchased and registered within the state. </li><li>The policy to promote electric vehicles in the state will be effective until 2030. </li><li>Incentives include road tax exemption for first two lakh electric two-wheelers, capital and power tariff subsidies, among others. </li></ul>Telangana Ministers KT Rama Rao and Ajay Kumar have launched the policy to promote electric vehicles in the state. The policy will be effective until 2030. As part of its new policy to promote electric vehicles, the Telangana government will offer 100% exemption of road tax and registration fee purchased and registered within the state, according to the <a href="https://invest.telangana.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/TS-EV-ESS-Policy.pdf">State Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy</a>. “To make Telangana a major base for EV and ESS (<keyword id="1609428" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-storage">energy storage</keyword> system) sectors and to attract investments worth $4 billion and create employment for 120,000 persons by 2030 through EVs in shared mobility, charging infrastructure development and EV and ESS manufacturing activities,” the policy said. <div type="twitter" handle="MinisterKTR" handlename="Minister for IT, Industries, MA &amp; UD, Telangana" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1048807734848643073/XjSa3JEv_normal.jpg" favoritecount="107" retweetcount="23" status="Live: Minister @KTRTRS speaking after unveiling Telangana Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy 2020-2030 https://t.co/osw75Gc1iT" createdat="1604038042000" id="1322057488112365568"></div> Following are the demand side incentives proposed under the Telangana State <keyword id="10193780" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-and-energy-storage-policy">Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy</keyword> 2020 – 2030 to incentivize usage of Electric Vehicles in the state of Telangana. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Segment </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Incentives offered </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Electric Two Wheelers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for the first 2,00,000 electric 2 wheelers </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Electric Three-seater Auto-Rickshaws </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for first 20,000 electric 3 wheelers. Retro-fitment incentive at 15% of the retro-fitment cost. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Electric 4-Wheeler commercial passenger vehicles </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for the first 5,000 electric 4-wheeler commercial passenger vehicles such as Taxi, Tourist Cabs, etc </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> Light Goods Carriers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for first 10,000 Electric three-wheeler (goods), e-carriers as well as electric Light Goods carriers. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> Private Cars </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for the first 5,000 Electric 4-Wheeler private vehicles. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Buses </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee for the first 500 Electric buses. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tractors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% exemption of road tax &amp; registration fee shall be applicable for electric tractors. </td></tr></tbody></table> The policy also called for developing Telangana as a global centre for cutting-edge research and innovation in electric vehicles, battery technologies and other emerging technologies such as autonomous/ connected vehicles. The government will extend tailor-made benefits to mega and strategic projects on a case to case basis. Investment of more than ₹200 crore in plant and machinery or providing employment to more than 1,000 people shall be categorised as megaproject. "Telangana has come out with an extremely comprehensive policy. We also ensured that energy story policy is clubbed in with the EV policy because these two are tight-knit ideas which need to work cohesively...we have taken a pragmatic approach while designing this policy and consulted industry leaders," Rama Rao after unveiling the policy. The government on Friday signed MoUs with five firms that are set to invest in the EV space. (with wires input) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cricketer-yuvraj-singh-invests-in-nutrition-based-healthtech-startup-wellversed/articleshow/78945260.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cricketer Yuvraj Singh invests in nutrition-based healthtech startup Wellversed</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-big-4-tech-companies-amazon-apple-facebook-and-google-blew-past-wall-street-estimates-in-their-latest-quarter-earnings-reports/articleshow/78942589.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Big 4 tech companies — Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google — blew past Wall Street estimates in their latest-quarter earnings reports</a>

Telangana launches ‘electric vehicle and energy storage policy’ — first 2 lakh electric two-wheelers exempted from road tax

<ul><li>Uber asked the Delhi government to allow them to use 5,000 bike-taxis during the odd-even scheme. </li><li>As of now, regulations do not allow bike-taxis to operate in Delhi. </li><li>The company also proposed to re-deploy 2,500 bikes from its food delivery network (UberEats) to work as bike-taxis. </li></ul> US-based ride hailing platform Uber has made a submission to the Delhi government offering use of 5,000 bike-taxis to improve first and last mile connectivity during the odd-even scheme to be implemented next month, according to sources. Currently, regulations do not allow bike-taxis to operate in Delhi. According to sources, Uber has made the submission to the Delhi government proposing to deploy 5,000 bike-taxis to help ferry one lakh commuters to and from Metro stations every week. The service is proposed to be offered for a fee of Rs 5 per ride, they added. The company, which competes with Bengaluru-based Ola, has also proposed to re-deploy 2,500 bikes from its food delivery network (UberEats) to work as bike-taxis during the odd-even scheme that will be implemented from November 4-15. Uber did not respond to e-mailed queries on the matter. A Delhi government official said a proposal was received from the cab aggregator but no decision has been taken on it as yet. One of the persons aware of the development said bike-sharing provides a huge opportunity to unlock the potential of shared mobility through optimal utilisation of existing vehicles on the road. The person said Uber, in its submission, has cited data that one out of two UberMOTO trips in Gurugram began or ended at a Metro station, while one in four such trips in Noida began or ended near a Metro station. The odd-even scheme has been proposed as part of a slew of measures to combat high level of air pollution in Delhi caused due to stubble burning in neighbouring states during winters. During the 12-day scheme, vehicles will ply alternately on odd and even dates as per their registration numbers. In the previous two experiments in January and April in 2016, a fine of Rs 2,000 was imposed on violators of the rule. In the past, two-wheelers and female commuters were exempted from the rule.

Uber wants to run bike taxis to go with Delhi's odd-even scheme

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber">Uber</a> has launched a pilot scheme for its first <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=motorbike+taxi">motorbike taxi</a> service in Bangkok. The <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=motorbike+taxi">motorbike taxi</a> will collect passengers from their office or home and get them to their respective destinations. The company is looking to spread this offering across Asia. 
 
Traffic-clogged Asian megacities like Jakarta and Manila might get them soon. Makes complete sense! Motorbikes have long been a popular commuting option, thanks to their ability to spiral through the horrible traffic jams. 
 
"This is the first time we're doing it in any market in the world, so our hope is to develop it and innovate it," <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Douglas+Ma">Douglas Ma</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber">Uber</a>'s head of Asia expansion, told AFP. 
 
"If it makes sense, absolutely we want to look at other markets", he added. 
 
So what about India? 
The trouble is, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber">Uber</a> has been facing regulatory hurdles and protests from established <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=taxi+operators">taxi operators</a> in most locations in India. Even with their newest offering, the company claims their services will be cheaper than regular <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bike+taxis">motorbike taxis</a>. That has not gone down too well with the old players. 
 
Radio taxi services like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber">Uber</a> and Ola have also locked horns with the Indian government many times. 
 
There are also regulatory challenges with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bike+taxis">bike taxis</a> in general. The transport officials are yet to figure out the guidelines for the fares, requirements and permits for the drivers, and designated stops for <keyword id="6383026" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bike-Taxis">bike taxis</keyword>. 
 
Efforts have been made to get bike taxis on road in Delhi but the move fell through. The only city that has stepped up and launched bike taxis for commuters is Gurgaon. 
 
Gurgaon even has a two-wheeler taxi service that goes by the name of Bikxie Pink. It’s by women and for women. It was launched on Jan 21 after it was found that women were reluctant to use the service because they were uncomfortable riding behind male drivers and concerned about their safety based on safety concerns and unease with riding behind male drivers. 
 
But Mayank Jyoti, RTO Ghaziabad had told reporters earlier, "We have not given permission to anybody for such service. This is a violation of permit rules." 
 
So that’s what’s standing between <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber">Uber</a> India and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bike+taxis">bike taxis</a> – regulation, and more regulation. 
 
Image credit: Uber

Will
Uber’s Bike Taxi Services work in India?

<keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword> has launched three new app features in India namely offline search, request for a guest and call to ride. The company has also launched a new mobile website for the country.(Disclosure: Uber and Business Insider both are strategic partners with Times Bridge) Currently, Uber's biggest competitor in the country, <keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword> has only one of the new features namely the mobile website. Ola also has a SMS to book service for offline customers but these features are unique to Uber. Ola started as a Call to book service with a call centre but now only takes online bookings. Uber doesn't have a call centre in India and this call-to-ride service will be using <keyword id="143885" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="interactive-voice-response">Interactive Voice Response</keyword> technology for now. <keyword id="218452" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Manik-Gupta">Manik Gupta</keyword>, Head of Product, Marketplace and Maps for Uber told Business Insider, “All the features announced today are specific to India and have been launched here first, but have global applicability. These features tackle basic issues across the spectrum pertaining to network connectivity. These are a contribution towards building solutions for those who don’t have access to the Uber app and enabling our existing rider app to work better in emerging markets.” In India, Uber has over 150 engineers and product employees in Bangalore and the Hyderabad engineering facility working on innovations and localizations for markets around the world. Gupta said mentioned how a lot of them are working towards increasing the efficiency of the maps on the Uber platform. As Uber works towards becoming more inclusive for India, other forms of transportation except cars also comes into focus. UberMOTO has been increasingly accepted as a form of transport even as UberEATS in six cities uses two-wheelers for its delivery service. Uber has experimented with autos in the past but Gupta says that the company experiments with different modes of transport to figure out what works best. “Our mission is to make traffic a thing of the past. How we do it keeps changing whether it’s through two-wheelers or now UberPOOL. Our work is complimentary in the sense that how we build public transit while solving for last mile connectivity.” Gupta also mentioned how these new features with improve the biggest issue with taxi services- improving the <keyword id="4356418" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="estimated-time-of-arrival">Estimated Time of Arrival</keyword> and pick-up and drop locations. Here are the new features: 1) M.uber.com: The light web-based version of Uber will be helpful for riders who have basic smartphones, that can support web browsing but cannot support mobile apps due to limited storage space, or want to book a ride from a tablet or computer. How it works: ○Open your browser, enter m.uber.com, browse the app and available options, sign into your Uber account when ready to book ○Enter your destination, select your product as you normally would and confirm your ride. 
	
	
	
	
	
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 2) Call to ride: Uber is piloting a phone number, currently just in Pune that riders can call to book an Uber across popular zones. This will be particularly useful for riders who only have a feature phone, areas with limited network or those who use a smartphone but have limited memory capacity. How it works: ●Riders will call single nationwide phone number and enter a numeric code displayed on signage to help Uber identify their location. ●Once the ride is confirmed, the rider will also be sent a text message with information on the car and driver partner. ●An Uber will arrive at the exact location. 3) Offline search: Uber is enabling offline search by caching the top points of interest in the city so that riders can enter their destinations in the app without having to wait for a working internet connection. How it works: ●The feature will automatically work if the app detects limited networks. 
	
	
	
	
	
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 4) Request for a Guest: Riders will now be able to book an Uber for another person from from their Uber app no matter where the rider or guest is located. Their guest does not need a smartphone or the Uber app in order to ride. How it works: ●To use this feature, the person requesting the ride for a guest can simply tap “Where to?” as they normally would, then choose who is riding above their pickup location. ●The rider will receive trip information in an SMS text message -- including <keyword id="119058" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ETA">ETA</keyword>, car type, and driver contact information, enabling them to coordinate with the driver directly. ●The driver will see the rider’s name, and be able to contact that person, through a masked number, for privacy. ●The ride will be charged to the requestor’s card on file unless the requestor selects cash as the payment. Rollout of this feature begins in the next few weeks. 
	
	
	
	
	
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Uber is trying to solve the biggest issue with taxi-apps by launching three new features in India

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Just before Delhi’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=odd-even+policy&amp;sortorder=effectivedate" data-type="tilCustomLink">odd-even policy</a> stages a comeback, the nation’s capital has got its first ever eco-friendly electric two-wheeler taxi service. 
 Looking to solve the problem of last mile connectivity, <keyword id="3309408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Promto">Promto</keyword> has started its service last week and is doing close to 200 rides every day. That’s not too much given the volume of traffic in the city, but it’s a good start nonetheless. 
 
The Delhi based company was started by Nikhil Malik, Karan Chadha, Pawneesh Rampal and Romesh Kumar who came up with the idea of having a battery operated two-wheeler taxi service network. The battery operated bikes are equipped with in-built <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=GPS+systems&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">GPS systems</a>. 
 
The company currently has 20 such scooters, and the service is available from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Connaught+Place&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Connaught Place</a> (<keyword id="6356415" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Metro">Metro</keyword> station gate no. 7) to offer rides within a radius of 5 kms. While reach is an issue currently, affordability isn’t, as the two wheeler service is available for a mere Rs 5/kms. 
 
The taxi can be booked by calling on 82528-82528 or by hailing one from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Connaught+Place&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Connaught Place</a> metro station, gate number 7. 
 
Nikhil Malik, Promoter of Promto said, “Promto will help single office goers, students and general commuters experience the advantages of switching over to zero polluting electric mobility and reach last mile destinations from a public point such as metro stations or a busy bus terminal.” 
 
“Our battery operated bikes will be a visible alternative to immediately cut the emission as one electric bike is equivalent to reducing 1 ton of carbon dioxide emission in 3 years,” added Nikhil. 
 
Much like the Olas and Ubers of the transportation industry, Promto has a comprehensive insurance policy worth up to Rs 1 lakh for the drivers as well as the passenger for the duration of the bike ride. The company also claims all drivers go through stringent background verification and training before they’re put on the road. 
 
The company looks to expand its fleet to 500 battery-operated bikes in the next 6 months and over 10,000 electric bikes in the coming 3 years. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

Delhi gets its first Bike taxi service before Odd-Even makesa comeback

Much like the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Flipkart&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Flipkart</a>-<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Amazon&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Amazon</a> tussle in India’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=e-commerce&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">e-commerce</a> space, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a>-<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> battle in the online cab aggregation sector is also heating up. 
 
Looking to dominate India’s $9 billion industry, both taxi-hailing apps are promising hundreds of millions in new investment, and are willing to go that extra mile to offer Indians a ride, and more. The battle for the Indian market has even been dragged from the streets to the Court. 
 
Here are a few grounds where <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> locked horns, just to get a bigger piece of the Indian pie: 
 
Raw Money Power: 
Looking at the lack of adequate public transport in Indian cities, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> have together promised an hefty investment of over $2.25 billion in India. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> reportedly plans to pump over $500 million by June in India. This is over and above the $1 billion already committed over the past nine months. That is some serious money. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> hasn’t been left wanting either. It has promised to add another 2,000 cars to its existing fleet of 26,000 in the nation’s capital. It is backed by the likes of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=SoftBank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">SoftBank</a>, and some of the most cash-rich VCs in the world. 
 
WiFi in Autos? 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> both began offering in-car WiFi last year. 
 
However, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> has been pulling out all its stock to go up against <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a>. The company plans to launch WiFi services in the budget cab segment, and even its auto-rickshaws. 
 
Some wonder how that's humanly possible at the current cost. 
 
Legal Battles: 
Interestingly, both taxi aggregators have been in legal wrangles. 
 
In October 2015, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> filed a legal petition, accusing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> of flouting a Supreme Court order demanding app-based taxis in New Delhi switch from running on diesel to using CNG (compressed natural gas). 
 
A few months on, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> recently sued <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> for allegedly creating 93,000 fake <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> accounts, and tampering its businesses. The company has been seeking around $7.4 million in damages. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> claims <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> employees used bogus accounts to book and cancel a whopping 400,000 rides over the last six months. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> allegedly had to pay high cancellation charges to drivers due to this. It claims around 20,000 drivers quit the platform in frustration. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> officials 'categorically deny’ <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a>'s allegations of fraud. Senior officials Anand Subramanian and Rahul Maroli told Business Insider they 'stand by' their statement. 
 
Accusations: Both <keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword> and <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword> have been accused of wrong-doing. 
 
Recently, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Paytm&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Paytm</a>-backed online transportation app <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Jugnoo&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Jugnoo</a> alleged Ola has adopted unethical practices against it. In a blog post, the company claims Ola employees made fake bookings, and tried to hamper its operations. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Jugnoo&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Jugnoo</a> CEO Samar Singla has said his team saw a sudden surge in bookings and cancelations. According to him, around 20,000 cancelations were made through 800 accounts over a 10-day period earlier this month. In December, the auto-rickshaw aggregator had accused Ola of poaching employees and driver database in Chandigarh. 
 
Uber has made similar claims against Ola. Ola spokesperson <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Anand+Subramanian&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Anand Subramanian</a> maintains this to be Uber’s way of ‘payback’ for the legal petition Ola filed, accusing Uber of flouting a Supreme Court order. 
 
Interestingly, Uber’s rivals <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Lyft&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Lyft</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Gett&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Gett</a> had in 2014 complained against the aggregator of making false bookings, and recruiting Lyft and Gett driver partners for its own service. 
 
Experiments gone wrong: 
In an attempt to find new battlegrounds, Ola and Uber both launched their bike-taxi services in India’s Bengaluru on the very same day. 
 It seems both knew of each other’s plans and neither wanted to be left behind. However, neither was fully ready. Several users claimed not a single <keyword id="3149752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bike-taxi">bike taxi</keyword> was visible. 
 
Both were offering extremely competitive rates. Ola has a per km rate of Rs 2, and a minimum fare of Rs 30. Uber has a per km rate of Rs 3 and a minimum fare of Rs 15. 
 
However, Ola was forced to roll back its service a few days later after the Karnataka state government said that India’s Motor Vehicle Act doesn’t have a provision for two wheelers to be used as taxis. Simply put, the bike taxi services were illegal. 
 
When asked about the same, Ola COO Pranay Jivrajka refused to comment on the issue. 
 
However, Uber bike taxis continue to ply on Bengaluru’s (earlier Bangalore) roads. 
 
This isn’t the first time this has happened. As rival Uber was turning up the heat, Ola started experimenting with hyper-local food and grocery delivery. 
 
It was later forced to shut these and focus on serving its core business. Although, it went on an overdrive, introducing new categories like Micro, Prime, a shuttle bus service and carpooling in a very short span. 
 
Regulatory hassles: 
While Uber has been facing regulatory hassles worldwide, and has the muscle to lobby for friendlier policies, Ola is still pretty new to such complications in business. 
 
Recently, Indian state Karnataka stood firm on not allowing surge pricing for app-based ride hailing services such as Ola and Uber. In the state, online taxi aggregators operate as ride-hailing service under a license obtained under the Radio Taxi Scheme, 1988. 
 
The policy says the charged fare cannot be higher than the fare fixed by the government. That means transport apps have to charge within a band where the upper limit is capped. Ola COO <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Pranay+Jivrajka&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Pranay Jivrajka</a> told BI the company's 'working together' with the state government to find a feasible solution. 
 
Way back in August, in a major setback to Ola Cabs, the Delhi High Court dismissed its plea challenging a single-judge order upholding Delhi government's ban on such taxi services. 
 
While Ola argued that non-app based taxi organizations also come under the Radio Taxi Scheme, and that Ola doesn’t own these vehicles anyway, the Delhi government had said the All India Tourist Permit (AITP) vehicles that operate under Ola brand are meant for tourist destinations and not point-to-point service in city. 
 
Online taxi aggregators were finally legalized. 
 
Chest Thumping 
Ola and Uber have both thrown around numbers that hardly make sense if put together. 
 
In a recent interview, Ola’s Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Categories Raghuvesh Sarup said, "In three weeks, we have put up a category (Ola Micro) which is already 50% of all of Uber's daily bookings in the country. The rate at which Micro is growing, it will be larger than their entire brand within a month." 
 
On the other hand, Eric Alexander, President of Uber's Asia business, in an interview said his company was on the verge of overtaking Ola in India. "In January last year, we were at five per cent market share. Now, we are right at the edge of 50 per cent. Within next 30 days, we would beat them (Ola). We will surpass them very, very shortly." 
 
The statistics are even more confusing. Ola claims it holds 75% of the Indian app-based taxi-hailing market, with over 350,000 driver partners on its platform across the country, while Uber claims otherwise. 
 
As the cut-throat fight between Uber and Ola continues, some say it’s reminiscent of Uber’s tussle with Lyft in the U.S. The two San Francisco-based rivals were constantly undercutting each other’s tariffs, poaching each other’s drivers and duplicating services. 
 
Let’s just say its the same war, but with some Indian masala.

The Ola-Uber rivalry in India – when
competition became ridiculous

Uber is not restricting itself to a cab provider only and is foraying into bike-taxi service. Uber’s bike-taxi service-UberMOTO, is going to debut in India’s IT hub Bengaluru with fares as low as Rs 3/km. 
 After Bangkok, Bengaluru is the second city where <keyword id="3259663" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="uberMOTO">UberMOTO</keyword> service is getting launched, with an aim to tap two-wheeler riders. The bike-taxi will be launched on pilot basis and if successful, UberMOTO will mean a huge jump in the number of riding options for commuters. 
 
Bengaluru has 3.8 million two-wheelers when compared to 1.1 million cars as of March 2015. 
 
Karnataka’s capital city faces huge traffic congestion and apparently people prefer to travel on two-wheelers. 
 
Meanwhile, the fares have been kept between Rs 3 and Rs 5 per km, cheapest offering by Uber so far. 
 
Neel Ratan, executive director at audit and consultancy firm PwC, told ET that it is a smart move by Uber to tap into an underutilised asset. 
 
"The option may not be completely infeasible for women commuters as they can be opt for women riders on two-wheelers," he said. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Welcome UberMoto to Bengaluru-a brand new bike-taxi service

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, May 1 () India will now be under lockdown till May 17 with a complete ban on air travel, trains and inter-state road transport for the general public while educational institutions, theatres, malls, hotels and bars will also remain shut, the government announced on Friday but gave some relaxations for various business activities and people's movement within areas with limited or no COVID-19 cases. The decision to extend the lockdown by two more weeks after May 3, when the second phase of these restrictions was scheduled to end, came amid a continuous rise in the number of people testing positive for the deadly virus infection across various states, including in major metropolitans, with the nationwide tally crossing 35,000. The death toll has crossed 1,100. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown from May 25, which was later extended by two more weeks to contain the virus spread. However, several experts have cautioned that the lockdown is severely impacting economy and many rating agencies and industry bodies have forecast a sharp dip in the country's economic growth rate for the current fiscal with a few even estimating an overall GDP decline. All major urban centres including Delhi and Mumbai have been identified as 'red zones' or areas with large numbers of cases and therefore not much relaxations would be applicable to them beyond already permitted ones for those involved in essential services. Special trains also began operating during the day, which also happened to be the Labour Day, to help lakhs of migrant workers stranded for over a month at various urban centres due to the lockdown with many of them having rendered jobless and homeless, reach their native places, including in different states. Separately, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat announced at a special press brieing, along with the three service chiefs, that the armed forces will express their gratitude to all "corona warriors" on Sunday by conducting fly-pasts, showering petals on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients and illuminating naval vessels. Besides, the Army will conduct mountain band displays along some COVID-19 hospitals in almost every district. Rawat also said it is not proper to conclude that the novel coronavirus outbreak is a result of biological warfare. US President Donald Trump had earlier said that the deadly virus originated from a virology lab in China's Wuhan city before it spread across the world and claimed over 233,000 lives and shattered global economies. But Trump's comments undercut a rare public statement from his own intelligence community, which stated no such assessment has been made by them whether the COVID-19 outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan. While several countries including Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, Austria and various states of the US have begun easing their respective lockdowns, India has decided to implement the third phase of its own lockdown, while providing specific relaxations to less affected and 'virus-free' areas by classifying districts and cities into red, orange and green zones. But, some activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone, and these include air travel, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road, running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training hospitality services, cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, as per an order issued by the Union Home Ministry. All social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and religious places or places of worship for public will also remain shut, the order said. Outside the containment zone falling within red zones, certain more activities are prohibited in addition to those banned throughout the country and these include plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, running of taxis and cab aggregators, intra-district and inter-district plying of buses, as also barber shops, spas and saloons. Activities allowed in red zones with restrictions would include movement of individuals and vehicles for permitted activities, with a maximum of two persons (besides the driver) in four-wheelers and with no pillion rider in two-wheelers. Industrial establishments in urban areas including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been permitted. Construction activities in urban areas will be limited to in-situ construction (where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside) and construction of renewable energy projects. Shops in urban areas, for non-essential goods, are not allowed in malls, markets and market complexes. However, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are permitted to remain open in urban areas, without any distinction of essential and non-essential. E-Commerce activities in red zones are permitted only for essential goods. Private offices can operate with up to 33 per cent strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All government offices can function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and up to one-third of remaining staff. Commercial and private establishments allowed in red zones include print and electronic media, IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security and facility management services, and services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers. In orange zones, taxis and cab aggregators will also be permitted with one driver and one passenger only, while inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only. Four-wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers. In green zones, all activities are permitted except those prohibited throughout the country irrespective of the zone. However buses and bus depots can operate with maximum 50 per cent capacity. Earlier in the day, the Union Health Ministry listed 130 districts in the country in red zone, 284 in orange zone and 319 in green zone. This classification of districts is to be followed by states and UTs till May 10 and the will be revised on a weekly basis or earlier if required, Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad have been designated as red zones in the new classification. A district will be considered under green zone if there has been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far or there is no reported case since last 21 days in the district. Red zone districts are those considered to be infection 'hotspots', decided on the basis of number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases and extent of testing and surveillance feedback. Districts which are neither defined as a red or green zone, would be considered as an orange zone. The Health Ministry also said India has ramped up production of COVID-19 protective gears and medical equipment to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for these items which are in high demand globally due to the pandemic. In its evening update, the Ministry said the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has risen to 35,365 with 1,152 deaths, while 9,065 people have so far recovered. ACB SKL MPB ASK PLB BJBJ

COVID-19: Lockdown extended for two more weeks; 'Considerable relaxations' for safer zones

On the occasion of International Women's Day on Tuesday, state <keyword id="6354750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">Health</keyword> Minister <keyword id="13327302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="veena-georgea" source="Orion">Veena Georgea</keyword> will inaugurate a programme to support the first woman ambulance driver in Kerala. Hailing from Kottayam, <keyword id="13327301" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="deepamol" source="Orion">Deepamol</keyword>, will for a change from her regular household chores hold the wheels of a tempo traveller ambulance which belongs to the state government-run ambulance service, 'Kanivu 108'. "This is a huge boost to the confidence of women in Kerala that they can do any job. Deepamol expressed her willingness to become the driver of an ambulance. This idea was taken forward by the CPI(M) government and she ended up becoming teh state's first woman ambulance driver," said George. Deepamol received a driving licence in 2008 and got a licence to drive heavy vehicles in 2009, including tipper lorries besides driving a taxi. She also runs a small driving school. In 2021, she rode on her two-wheeler from Kottayam to Ladakh in 16 days, besides winning an off-road driving contest held at Thrissur. Deepamol has cleared all the driving tests required to drive an ambulance. "Women need not be confined to the kitchen. Instead, they should come forward to pursue any job and need not be dependent on anybody," she said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/here-is-how-indian-women-have-been-investing-and-spending-their-hard-earned-money/slidelist/90051959.cms">Here is how Indian women have been investing and spending their hard-earned money</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/the-indian-rupee-hit-a-lifetime-low-of-76-96-per-dollar-as-a-surge-in-crude-oil-prices/slidelist/90051706.cms#slideid=90052020">Thanks to rising crude oil prices, Rupee hits a lifetime low of 76.96</a>

International Women's Day: Kerala to get first lady ambulance driver

Last year, transport minister Nitin Gadkari said that road accidents are “more serious than the COVID-19 pandemic," and this is corroborated by the data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau. Over 1.55 lakh lives were lost in road crashes across India just in 2021, says a recent report by the NCRB. So, every day 425 people lose their lives on Indian roads and the recent high-profile death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry has put the spotlight yet again on <keyword id="87280" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="road-safety" source="Orion">road safety</keyword>. <div type="image" title="Over 1.55 lakh lives were lost in road crashes across India just in 2021: NCRB" msid="94084328" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Over 1.55 lakh lives were lost in road crashes across India just in 2021: NCRB&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The report said that during 2021, two-wheelers have contributed 44.5% of total road accidental deaths (69,240 deaths), followed by cars at 15.1% with 23,531 deaths and trucks or lorries had a 9.4% contribution (14,622 deaths). <div type="image" title="Road accident fatalities have gone up since 2020" msid="94084331" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Road accident fatalities have gone up since 2020&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The report also highlighted that overspeeding remains the biggest cause of road accidents—contributing to 56% of the total road crash deaths (87,050 deaths), followed by dangerous or careless driving, contributing to 27.5% of total crash deaths (42,853 deaths). Most of these road accidents in India have happened on national highways. India accounts for about 2% of motor vehicles globally. Yet, it is the <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/india-accounts-for-11-per-cent-of-global-death-in-road-accidents-world-bank/article33834556.ece">home </a>to more than 11% of the world’s road traffic deaths. According to a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/it-s-time-to-put-an-end-to-india-s-road-safety-crisis/story-FrTmaEoqfKC1EnoryY4nxN.html#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20United%20Nations,rate%20of%2043%20a%20day.">UN study</a>, India loses 3% of its GDP to road accidents by removing prime-age adults from the workforce. Despite the high number of fatalities, in India, people wearing seat belts is a rare sight. While rear seat belts have been mandatory under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, most kaali peeli taxis don’t even have seat belts for passengers. <div type="image" title="Most kaali peeli taxis don’t even have seat belts for passengers" msid="94084343" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Most kaali peeli taxis don&amp;#8217;t even have seat belts for passengers&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Rear seat belts prevent fatality According to the World Health Organisation, the use of rear seat belts can prevent fatality by 25% and injuries by 75%. <div type="image" title="Use of rear seat belts can prevent fatality by 25% and injuries by 75%: NCRB" msid="94084418" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Use of rear seat belts can prevent fatality by 25% and injuries by 75%: NCRB&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Reports suggest that Mistry was seated in the back and was not wearing a seatbelt. Now, after Mistry’s demise has sent shockwaves across the country, Gadkari said that even chief ministers don’t follow safety rules. Some ministers even use a clip so that the alarm does not make any sound, said Gadkari, when there is no belt. After the incident, Gadkari also said that the ministry is now working towards making six airbags compulsory in all cars. It was not too long ago, just in February 2022 that the Indian <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/cars/govt-makes-three-point-seat-belts-mandatory-for-all-front-facing-passengers-in-car/articleshow/89501540.cms">government </a>had also made it mandatory for automakers to provide three-point seat belts for all front-facing passengers in a car, which is also applicable for the middle seat in the rear row of a car. It is also stated in the rules Motor Vehicles Act 138(3) that fastening seat belts is compulsory for passengers sitting in the front as well as the rear seats. However, India fails to follow the law of its land. As per a 2019 report by SaveLIFE Foundation, less than 1% of people in India use rear seat belts. 37.8% of all the people surveyed didn’t even know that any such legal compulsion existed. While 23.9% of people didn’t even know that rear seat belts existed. The centre has also made it compulsory for all cars to have six airbags across from October 1. After losing his ‘good friend,’ minister Gadkari said that all cars exported out of India have 6 airbags and asked then why Indian cars have only four airbags. What India can learn from other countries In 1997, Sweden adopted a ‘Vision Zero’ policy based on the idea that “no loss of life was acceptable.” The policy did not focus on changing human behaviour, the emphasis was on designing a better system of roads and other infrastructure, vehicle technology and enforcement. On the other hand, Singapore uses advanced warning lights that alert drivers about the upcoming signal and vehicle speed. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlyon/2020/08/27/frightening-consequences-for-drink-drivers-in-japan/">Japan </a>also has a strict policy for drunken drivers. It has a zero percent blood-alcohol level standard for drivers and individuals caught driving under the influence can face imprisonment for up to 15 years. In Switzerland, passengers travelling in the same car as a drunk driver are also considered liable and can lose their own licenses. Apart from strictly enforcing speed limits and other road regulations, Norway has found a unique approach to reduce its fatalities. It has made it mandatory for drivers to always have their headlights on while driving. Safety measures taken by automakers From installing airbags and adding stringent seatbelt alarms to running awareness campaigns, automakers have been trying to up safety for India’s car passengers. Maruti, Hyundai and Tata Motors offer six airbags across some models. Luxury car companies like Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo are also offering six airbags and the number increases on the higher-end models. Safety rules you must follow To stay safe, one must <a href="https://highwaypolice.maharashtra.gov.in/en/road-safety-guideline/#:~:text=Always%20obey%20Road%20safety%20rules,as%20markets%20and%20residential%20areas.">obey </a><keyword id="1501776" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="road-safety-rules" source="Orion">road safety rules</keyword> and regulations of India. <ul><li>Look for the traffic signs before you cross signals. </li><li>Drive within the speed limits prescribed. Ideally one should drive at approximately not more than 30 kmph near busy places such as markets and residential areas.</li><li>Keep vehicle oiled and serviced. A sudden breakdown of the vehicle on the road can cause hardships not only to you but also to fellow drivers and traffic personnel. </li><li>Stop or slow down your vehicle and allow the pedestrians to crossroads at unmanned/signalled Zebra crossings.</li><li>Always wear seat belts while driving four-wheelers.</li><li>Avoid rash or negligent driving.</li><li>Do not drink and drive.</li><li>Avoid using mobile phones while driving. In case of an urgent call, park the vehicle to the side of the road and put the brake lights on, and allow other motorists to pass by. </li><li>Turn the brake lights ON before stopping so that the vehicles behind can avoid a collision.</li></ul>Here's a small video <div type="image" title="All you need to know about India’s rules for road safety" msid="94084511" hostid="261" sizebytes="1771684" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;All you need to know about India’s rules for road safety&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Before we let you go, here's what we want you to know- Business Insider India brings you SaaS Scions, a 6-part video series chronicling Indian SaaS scions - SaaS leaders who have come to define this sector in India. And now for the world. <div type="image" title="Business Insider India brings you SaaS Scions" msid="94084538" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Business Insider India brings you SaaS Scions&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

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