Ola and Uber's new service: Now travel to and from work in Delhi using EVs and shared taxis, and save money..

In Delhi, cab aggregator companies like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Bharat Taxi will operate private EVs (electric vehicles) as shared taxis. Their ride-hailing apps will also display EV shuttle options, and you will be able to avail of these services at very affordable rates. And that's not all... Ola, Uber, and similar companies are also expected to launch taxi services operated by female drivers, making travel safer for women. All these initiatives were approved in a meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

In a high-level meeting with cab aggregator companies, chaired by CM Rekha Gupta, a roadmap was prepared to combat pollution. Given the rising pollution levels in the capital, there was a consensus on making significant changes to transportation methods. These changes include allowing privately owned electric vehicles (EVs) to operate as taxis, launching shared taxi services, and introducing airport shuttles. This new plan aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, which is a major contributor to toxic air.

The message from the meeting in Delhi was clear: pollution control is not possible until the number of vehicles on the roads is reduced. The Chief Minister told the companies, "Effective and sustainable pollution control in Delhi is only possible when the number of vehicles on the roads is reduced." She emphasized that transport companies must actively cooperate in this effort.

Private EV Taxi Service: What will change?
For the first time in the city, the Delhi government has agreed in principle to allow privately owned electric vehicles to operate as shared taxis. This will require amendments to existing regulations, which the Delhi government is prepared to make.

The aggregator companies said that if the changes in regulations are notified, they are ready to include private EVs and even BS-VI vehicles on their platforms. The Chief Minister assured that the government would create a mechanism for this, but also stated that safety standards for passengers would be strictly enforced.

Shared Rides and Women-Driven Taxis
Ride-hailing companies have agreed to launch shared taxi services within a month. The launch of taxis driven by women is also expected, which the government considers important for both safety and employment.

Chief Minister Gupta said that while regulations would be made flexible to encourage the adoption of EVs, companies would have to pass on the benefits to passengers. He said, "If people don't find EV services affordable and attractive, the transition won't happen."

Airport and Ring Road Shuttles
To reduce the number of private cars on major routes, the government has asked aggregator companies to explore the possibility of shuttle services for the Ring Road and the airport. Pilot projects may be launched to test their feasibility.

Officials stated that both peak electricity demand and the number of vehicles are continuously increasing in Delhi, making transportation-related pollution a major challenge. The Chief Minister emphasized that continuous efforts are needed to control pollution, not just temporary measures.

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