Rapido onboards 1,000 women to run e-bikes, e-autos across 8 cities in A.P.

Rapido partners with MEPMA to empower 1,000 women riders in Andhra Pradesh with e-bikes and e-autorickshaws.

Bengaluru-headquartered ride-sharing platform Rapido has joined hands with the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), an initiative by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, to onboard 1,000 women riders to run e-bikes and e-autorickshaws in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Guntur, Kurnool, Tirupati, Kakinada, and Rajahmundry.

Through this partnership, formalised in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Women’s Day event at Markapuram in Prakasam on Saturday, Rapido has waived off the onboarding fees and monthly charges for women riders for three months, benefiting them by up to ₹30,000. The government has provided 1,000 electric vehicles, including 760 e-bikes and 240 e-autos, to female riders. The company aims to enable the women to become self-reliant micro-entrepreneurs in the e-mobility space.

Aravind Sanka, co-founder and CEO of Rapido, said, “This is a commitment to turning mobility into a force for financial independence. By creating safer, more inclusive transport solutions, we’re not just serving communities but we’re uplifting them, driving towards a more equitable and empowered future for all. Our vision is to scale pink mobility in tier-3 and tier-4 cities of AP.”

Beyond offering employment, the programme was designed to help these women build long-term careers in mobility by providing them with skill training, financial literacy programmes, and a platform to earn with confidence. ‘‘This collaboration is set to transform how women engage with mobility, offering jobs, independence, dignity, and a pathway to financial security,’‘ he said.