Delhi Metro launches e-rickshaw service at Vaishali

In a bid to provide last-mile connectivity, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Monday launched a dedicated e-rickshaw service for commuters, with Ghaziabad's Vaishali station the first to get the service.

The eco-friendly service was launched by DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh at Metro Bhawan on the occasion of World Environment Day.

"The specially designed e-rickshaws with covered cabin and full-size front windscreen will provide last-mile connectivity within an area of 3-4 km around Metro stations and will function according to the operational timings. They are also equipped with CCTV camera and GPS," said a senior official.

"The first fleet of five e-rickshaws inaugurated today will operate from Vaishali Metro station. The facility will be extended at stations in Gurugram and Faridabad very shortly by another operator," the official added.

He further said that fares for each journey would start from Rs 10 for the first two kilometres, Rs 15 for a distance of more than 2km but up to 3km, Rs 20 for more than 3km and up to 4km and so on.

One of the operators aims to introduce 610 e-rickshaws at earmarked eight operational Metro stations in Noida and Ghaziabad within a year, said DMRC.

"On successful implementation of the e-rickshaw services in the NCR, services in a similar format would be replicated in Delhi subject to its feasibility," the official said.

Commuters in Noida and Ghaziabad can get relevant information regarding this facility on the helpline 011-39595468.

"DMRC tries to incorporate eco-friendly initiatives in all its spheres of functioning. So, ensuring dedicated e-rickshaw service at Metro stations will enable commuters to prefer non-polluting public transport modes over personal vehicles," Mangu Singh said.

As on date, DMRC operates 291 feeder buses on 42 routes connecting 54 Metro stations in Delhi, DMRC said in a statement.

"Around two lakh people use the feeder bus service on a daily basis. DMRC also encourages the use of bicycles by commuters, to and from Metro stations," Singh added.

The Delhi Metro network spans two major cities each in Haryana (Gurugram and Faridabad) and Uttar Pradesh (Ghaziabad and Noida). The Vaishali station falls on the Blue Line (Dwarka-Vaishali/Noida City Centre) of the network.