Rapido to add new feature, captains to be alerted about ‘drop location’ in advance

The announcement comes at a time when Rapido is facing several cases across India, including in Karnataka, and the legality of operating whiteboard taxis is under judicial scrutiny. Whiteboard vehicles are those that are generally driven for personal use and not for commercial purposes.

One of the main demands of the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association representing 36 auto, bus, and taxi unions is a ban on Rapido bike taxis. However, the aggregator company has received interim protection from the Karnataka High Court against any coercive action by the government.

“They (customers) do not need to worry about captains cancelling rides at the last minute anymore, leading to a more predictable and convenient commute. Additionally, passengers can now relax knowing that captains are well-informed about their intended destination. This knowledge empowers captains to plan routes more efficiently, ultimately ensuring that passengers reach their destinations with ease. However, the ‘Drop Location’ feature will not in any way compromise the privacy of Rapido customers; their information will remain secure and safe,” said Rapido.

Pavan Guntupalli, co-founder of Rapido, said: “We are committed to providing a reliable and convenient transportation solution for millions of people across India. Our new ‘Drop Location’ feature aligns perfectly with this vision. By empowering our captains with vital information, we are ensuring that our riders enjoy a seamless and dependable ride every time they choose Rapido.”

However, some customers felt the new feature might in a way reduce the chances of a ride request being accepted.

Rimita Roy, a regular Rapido user, said, “Disclosing the location beforehand will encourage the captains to decline a ride depending upon their assessment of the traffic conditions on that route. Even without this feature, Rapido captains still call the customers to know the drop location. If they feel the location is too far, the captains will cancel the trip.”

Yashaswini K, another Rapido user, said, “I think the cancellations might reduce, but the chances of the rides being accepted will get bleaker. Especially, covering short distances will be a challenge, because the captains are paid less for such distances while they are paid more for long distances.”

Swagata Dutta, another user, said, “The feature will be a drawback during peak hours. Captains will avoid going to areas that experience traffic jams. This is a common and daily challenge for commuters across all aggregator apps.”