Women-only Rapido bike service to make debut in Andhra
The government has provided 1,000 electric vehicles, including 760 e-bikes and 240 e-autos, for female riders
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
Women only Rapido bike service to make debut in Andhra.
Amaravati: After Karnataka and Delhi, Rapido is all set to launch a women-only bike service in Andhra Pradesh.
This initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government aims to provide safe travel for many women who fear to take rides with male drivers.
As part of the MoU, women from self-help groups with driving licence will be provided e-bikes. For the first three months, the drivers need not submit platform charges. Later, they shall have to pay Rs 1000 per month.
Through this partnership, 1,000 women captains across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Guntur, Kurnool, Tirupati, Kakinada, and Rajahmundry will get access to job. Onboarding fees and monthly charges for women riders will be waived for three months, benefiting them by up to Rs. 30,000. The government has provided 1,000 electric vehicles, including 760 e-bikes and 240 e-autos, for female riders.
In the first phase, 400 e-bikes and auto-rickshaws will be launched in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. Another 200 bikes will be rolled out in Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Guntur, Nellore, and Tirupati.
To make the transition smoother for SHG women, Rapido is offering:
ā¢ Soft-skill and digital literacy training to help them navigate the platform with ease.
ā¢ Zero platform fees to provide financial relief as they get started.
ā¢ Free helmets and t-shirts to ensure safety and professional visibility.
Good news for many:
In this busy world with heavy traffic every morning, many people opt for the Rapido bike service so that they can go to their destinations quickly. But no women wish to choose Rapido over safety concerns.
In February 2025, a software employee filed a complaint in Hyderabad, alleging harassment and misconduct by a Rapido driver.
Commending the initiative Chief Minister Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu remarked "We are deeply committed to supporting self-reliant women micro-entrepreneurs across Andhra Pradesh and are pleased to facilitate financial assistance for vehicle procurement. Rapido's commitment in supporting SHGs with their EMIs and creating job opportunities in the mobility space represents a significant step towards a women-centric transport solution. This partnership will bolster the state's ongoing efforts to empower women and encourage fiscal independence."
