Delhi Metro partners with Ola, Uber for last-mile connectivity

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) launched its pilot project for an enhanced last mile connectivity on Wednesday. The rail body has brought cab aggregators Ola and Uber on board, setting up their kiosks at different metro stations.

Dr Mangu Singh, Managing Director, DMRC, inaugurated the kiosks set up by Uber and Ola at Dwarka Sector-21 and Rajiv Chowk Metro stations respectively. "These kiosks will provide booking facilities for Metro's commuters. Commuters will be able to get information regarding booking status and location of already booked cabs etc," a senior DMRC official said.

Presently, Uber has set up such kiosks at Dwarka Sec-21 and Sikanderpur Metro stations whereas, Ola has kiosks at MG Road and Noida Sec-18 stations. Both cab aggregators have also set up their kiosks at Rajiv Chowk, which is a transfer station between the Blue Line and the Yellow Line. Signages will be displayed inside and outside the Metro stations to inform the commuters about the new facility.

"Our agenda is to make mobility seamless by providing access to feeder transportation and to help our passengers reach their destinations. With this collaborative partnership with Uber and Ola, we are looking forward to encouraging more and more people to use the Metro and benefit from the last mile connectivity," said Dr Singh.

Meanwhile, Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer, Asia Pacific, Uber, said, "By making it easy to travel to and from the Metro stations, we intend to alleviate the need for parking and making first and last mile connectivity more seamless."

"DMRC plans to give empty spaces at almost all Metro stations to the cab aggregators for catering the last mile needs of the commuters. 400 such empty spots have been identified at 210 Metro stations. The allotment will be made through an open tender scheme in coming few months," the official further said.

Delhi Metro, in recent years, has tied up with private operators to provide last mile connectivity solutions through e-rickshaw and cycle sharing services.

The e-rickshaw services are presently functional at 11 Metro stations: Vaishali, HUDA City Centre, MG Road, Sikanderpur, Escorts Mujesar, Bata Chowk, Neelam Chowk Ajronda, and Dwarka Sector-09/10/11/12. More than 600 e-rickshaws (about 50 e-rickshaws from Dwarka sub-city) are being run on weekdays in Delhi/NCR, which cater to about 90,000 passengers.

Public Bicycle sharing service is operating from 19 Metro stations- Shastri Park, Hauz Khas, Saket, MG Road, Dwarka Sector-14, Akshardham, Barakhamba Road, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Kohat Enclave, Rithala, Dilshad Garden, Kashmere Gate, Inderlok, Rohini East, Vishwavidyalaya, GTB Nagar, JLN Stadium, and Jorbagh.

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Uber has set up such kiosks at Dwarka Sec-21 and Sikanderpur Metro stations whereas, Ola has kiosks at MG Road and Noida Sec-18 stations. They also have kiosks at Rajiv Chowk Metro station