Seeking to boost last-mile connectivity, a fleet of 100 e-rickshaws were today flagged off from a Delhi Metro station in Dwarka, the first such facility for people commuting in the sub-city, officials said.
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal launched the fleet -- SmartE -- from Dwarka Sec-10 Metro Station.
"These e-rickshaws will be plying from eight metro stations of Dwarka sub-city namely -- Dwarka, Dwarka's Sec-14, Sec-13, Sec-12, Sec-11, Sec-10, Sec-9 and Sec-8, from 6 am to 11 pm," according to the DMRC.
This will boost the last mile connectivity service in Dwarka sub-city for metro commuters, it said.
"It is for the first time that e-rickshaw facility has been rolled out for metro commuters in Delhi region, covering Dwarka sub-city," DMRC said in a statement.
Initially, 100 e-rickshaws are being introduced, and the number will gradually be increased to 200 in coming weeks.
A charging-point station for the 100 e-vehicles has also been set up by SmartE to ensure seamless service through the day, they said.
"These GPS-enabled vehicles are specially designed, having covered cabin and full front windscreen to provide the last mile connectivity within an area of 3-4 km around metro stations.
"Fares have been kept at a very nominal base price of Rs 10 for the first 2 km and Rs 5 for every subsequent kilometre. The commuters can also book vehicles through the SmartE app and pay digitally,"it said.
On successful implementation of the e-rickshaw services in Delhi now, the DMRC will look to replicate it on similar format in other areas of Delhi-NCR. Delhi Metro is also working with SmartE to enable usage of metro smart cards for making payment for using these e-vehicles, officials said.
"This eco-friendly initiative of introducing e-rickshaws at metro stations will enable commuters to prefer non-polluting public transport modes over personal vehicles," Baijal said.
As on date, about 500 SmartEs e-rickshaws are already providing last-mile connectivity service from metro stations in Gurgaon (HUDA City Centre, M G Road and Sikanderpur); and Faridabad (Escorts Mujesar, Neelam Chowk Ajronda & Bata Chowk), used by more than 50,000 passengers daily, the DMRC said.
DMRC said its has partnered with a firm to operate the e-rickshaw services, under the brand name 'SmartE'.
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