Odd-even scheme: Demand for app-based cabs, autos soars; e-bikes likely to be deployed soon

According to Uber and Ola, there has been a rise in the number of people opting for ride-share as well as signing up for car-pooling

Radio taxi services such as Meru and cab aggregators like Uber and Ola had a good run on the first day of the odd-even rule in Delhi. While there was a rise in the number of cabs booked, the demand was not as high as expected since most of the private offices were shut on Friday. However, the price surge owing to high demand was noticed in many cases - even during the non-peak hours.

“The first day of the odd-even rule was good for us as there has been a rise in the demand, but we have been able to keep up with it. We have been preparing, so our operations have been running smoothly,” said a senior executive from Uber.

There has also been an uptick in ride-share as well as car-pooling.

“Carpool by Meru will help individuals share their own cars with others and Meru is providing a platform without charging anything from people. Meru operates only on CNG-run vehicles in Delhi and Mumbai and believes all transportation issues can be resolved without creating any hazards to the environment,” said Siddhartha Pahwa, chief executive of Meru Cabs, on the odd-even initiative rolled out on Friday.

Friday has been an extremely busy day for auto-rickshaw aggregator Jugnoo. It experienced a cent per cent increase in demand for autos from the Delhi national capital region. “While on a normal day we see a demand for around 3,000 rides, today (on Friday) it has gone up to 6,000. From Monday, we will have 1,500 autos on the road and will provide 10,000 rides,” said Samar Singla, founder and chief executive, Jugnoo.  

Even two-wheeler companies are jumping in the fray to help out commuters in last-mile connectivity. Hero Electric, India’s largest manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, will deploy 100 e-bikes at 15 different strategic locations in Delhi to give free ride during the odd-even trial run.

“Each chosen location will have five to 10 Hero E-Bikes with a driver during the rush hour between 8 am and 12 pm, and from 4 pm to 8 pm to help commuters reach last-mile destinations from a public point such as metro stations or a busy bus terminal, for no charge,” the company said in a statement.

Hero Electric has made it easy for people to book a ride from by partnering with Bikemate, an application available on android and iOS through which one can request for a free ride in Delhi.  

“The idea is to help office goers and general commuters to experience the joy and comfort of zero polluting electric bikes and also get to know the advantages of switching over to electric mobility,’’ said Sohinder Gill, chief executive of Hero Electric.

While most of the private companies are celebrating a long weekend, preparations are on for Monday. “We have already partnered with Shuttl (an app-driven bus service) for car-free initiative and running bus services from various parts of the city. We are also asking people to carpool to office,” said a Snapdeal spokesperson.    

Mobile digital wallet major Paytm has asked its employees to carpool and chart out routes they would be taking so that they can pick colleagues on the way. Also it increased the frequency of shuttle services to metro stations so that people do not have difficulty reaching office or going back home.