City commuters have wholeheartedly welcomed autorickshaws running on meters. And now, there’s more good news.
Next month, over 100 autorickshaws, exclusively for women and driven by women, will be launched in the city by a private operator.
These vehicles will also be fitted with tabs that will telecast TV shows.
“It will be like TV on wheels. We want to ensure the safety of women and also keep them entertained during the commute,” said Mansoor Ali Khan, co-founder of Makkal Auto, which is behind the novel service.
The tabs will telecast daily soaps, reality shows and documentaries on successful women, said Mr. Khan, who had earlier co-founded Namma Auto — autorickshaws that ran on meters before the government enforced the rule.
The tabs in the women-only autorickshaws will have an emergency button, front and rear cameras and calling facility. “When the button is pressed, video footage of the crime or accident will be sent to a call centre, and a call will be made to the nearest police station,” said Mr. Khan.
Besides, the autorickshaws will have WiFi connections and printers.
The vehicles will operate on government-approved rates from 6 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
“GPS and panic buttons, announced by the State government, have failed to take off in the autorickshaws plying on city roads. But we have efficient technology from a Singapore firm to ensure help arrives when needed,” said Mr. Khan.
Women can contact a call-centre (66777777) for booking the autos. “We are also working on an app that will let them select an auto based on its driver details. The app will also enable a family member to track the journey of the passenger, particularly if she/he is old,” said Mr Khan.
In the initial phase, 100 women-only autos will be rolled out. “We are training another 400 women drivers who will be out on the road in the next three months,” said Mr. Khan.
