India's urban mobility landscape is riddled with challenges posed by traffic congestion, making commuting tedious and disruptive for all. People often suffer due to long waits in traffic jams and being late reach offices, colleges or schools. These traffic jams not only affect the time but also damage the environment by polluting the air further causing health hazards to humans.
In order to combat the issue, carpooling offers a promising solution, reducing environmental damage and cost-savings. It also provides a safe, convenient, and affordable option specifically for female commuters, offering a secure and serene travel experience.
This shift in commuting preferences is particularly beneficial for female travelers seeking safety, convenience, and affordability. Carpooling not only provides a secure and comfortable mode of transportation but also fosters friendships and community among female commuters, making the experience more enjoyable and sustainable.
Togopool, India's ride-sharing platform, surveyed female commuters, revealing that 82 per cent prefer carpooling over other modes receiving 250 responses. The survey also revealed that 90 per cent of female travelers have opted for carpooling due to safety concerns, and 88 per cent are ready to switch due to enhanced safety features. This also highlighted the potential for a more inclusive ridesharing culture. The survey explored the motivations, preferences, and concerns of women who prefer carpooling as their primary mode of transportation, ensuring safe and secure commuting.
Saurabh C, Founder, of Togopool mentions, "At Togopool, safety is at the heart of every journey, and we have made it our priority to deliver the safest ride-sharing experiences for our female users. Leveraging robust safety procedures that guarantee the verification of all certified corporate customers. Togopool ensures safety with verified users, SOS, genuine ratings, live tracking, customizable preferences, profile picture privacy, and data encryption. We are actively bridging the gap between safe and cost-effective mobility solutions, whilst empowering women to fully embrace carpooling."
The survey also shows that 60 per cent of women feel more comfortable sharing rides, highlighting the safety, reliability, and peace of mind of carpooling. Togopool aims to create a safe environment for female commuters, emphasizing empowerment and inclusion, and promoting convenience, comfort, and connection.
Carpooling is a growing trend in India, offering a safe, cost-effective, and eco-friendly transportation option for women. It reduces costs, traffic congestion, and environmental impact, while also providing increased safety and community. Carpooling platforms offer features like verified profiles, real-time tracking, and emergency assistance. Women-specific groups and apps further enhance security. BlaBlaCar, Quick Ride, Sheroes, Pink Auto, and Ziphop are some popular platforms for women-only carpooling in India. These services offer secure features like ride verification, real-time location sharing, and a 'Women Only' option. Sheroes partners with local ride-sharing services to facilitate safe carpooling options whereas Pink Auto and Pink Taxi offer services in cities like Jaipur and Mumbai to women-only auto-rickshaws and taxis. Ziphop offers ride-sharing and rental services with a focus on safety and convenience.
Another study by Quick Ride mentions that Carpooling among women in India is growing, with 45 per cent of active carpoolers being women, with Kerela leading with 51 per cent participation. Cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata have a 45 per cent participation ratio. Bengaluru has the highest number of daily carpool rides with 66,108 per day, with travel time varying in different cities.
With the growing popularity, the Indian government has introduced major amendments and requirements. The Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, of 2019 introduced license requirements for aggregators like Uber Pool and Ola Share, aiming to regulate carpooling services. A committee recommended national-level policy intervention to promote shared mobility and reduce urban congestion. Guidelines for private carpooling will focus on mobile apps for authentication and safety.
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