O Rickshaw

Empowering Auto Rickshaw Drivers through O Rickshaw Application

Introduction

Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd., a company specializing in IT services, collaborated with the End Mile Federation, a group representing auto rickshaw drivers, to develop the O Rickshaw application. This initiative aimed to solve challenges faced by both drivers and passengers in the auto rickshaw sector, using the opportunities provided by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) protocols.

Objective

The primary objective of the O Rickshaw application was to leverage the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) protocols to transform the Pune autorickshaw sector, empowering drivers, ensuring fair fares, fostering competition, and showcasing technology’s potential for inclusive urban mobility solutions. A few salient features of the application are as follows:

Seamless Ride Hailing : Passengers can easily request rides with just a few taps on their smartphones, ensuring quick and convenient access to transportation services.
Interoperability: Drivers will receive rides on the O Rickshaw application even if the passenger is searching for rides on some other application on the ONDC network.
Transparent Fare Structures: Passengers are charged based only on the meter fare, eliminating any ambiguity or hidden fees, and ensuring fair pricing for every ride.
Direct Payment Mechanisms: Autorickshaw drivers collect fares directly from passengers, enabling instant transactions and eliminating the need for settlements, thus enhancing efficiency for both parties.
Easy Grievance Redressal: Grievance redressal is managed as per the ONDC protocol and involves proper fixing of responsibility via ticketing systems and fast redressal.
Enhanced Accessibility: The app enhances last-mile connectivity, minimizes auto driver rejections, and improves transportation service availability, particularly in high-demand areas.

Implementation

Using modern technology like Node.js, Flask, and NoSQL, Suma Soft created the O Rickshaw app. It followed the guidelines of the Beckn protocol framework for seamless integration with the ONDC network. The app offered unique features for both passengers and drivers:

For Passengers

On-Demand Rides: Passengers could easily request rides whenever and wherever they needed.
Fair Pricing: Payment was based only on the meter fare, ensuring transparent and reasonable charges.
Integration with Pune Metro: The app seamlessly connected with the Pune Metro app, making it convenient for passengers to complete their journeys.
Fewer Rejections: Auto drivers were less likely to refuse rides, ensuring better availability for passengers.

For Drivers

No Commissions: Drivers were not charged any commission, allowing them to keep all the money they earned.
Low Platform Charges: Instead of taking a percentage of each ride, the app charged drivers a small daily fee, making it affordable for them.
Direct Payments: Drivers collected fares directly from passengers, eliminating delays in receiving their earnings.
Increased Business: The app helped drivers find more customers, especially at metro stations where demand was high.

Outcomes and impact

The O Rickshaw app had several positive outcomes:

Empowering Drivers: Auto rickshaw drivers gained control over their finances, leading to greater independence.
Supporting Welfare: The End Mile Federation used platform fees to maintain infrastructure and support driver welfare.
Convenience for Passengers: Passengers enjoyed easy access to affordable rides, leading to a better overall experience.
Competition and Change: Other ride-hailing apps reduced their commissions in response to O Rickshaw, showing the impact of the initiative.

Security and Reliability

Dependability of the O Rickshaw app was paramount for Suma Soft and the End Mile Federation. To achieve this:

Robust Hosting: The app was securely hosted on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) servers, leveraging the advanced security features provided by Google.
Data Protection: Stringent measures were in place to safeguard user data, including encryption protocols and regular security audits.
Continuous Monitoring: The app underwent continuous monitoring for any potential vulnerabilities or threats, with immediate action taken to address any issues.
Reliable Infrastructure: The use of Google Cloud Platform ensured high availability and reliability, minimizing downtime and disruptions for users.
Future-Proofing: Suma Soft has integrated reliable payment gateways into the app, ensuring secure and seamless financial interactions for future transactions.

Conclusion

The O Rickshaw application showcased how technology can transform traditional industries and empower marginalized communities.By embracing ONDC protocols and innovative business models, Suma Soft and the End Mile Federation not only improved the auto rickshaw sector in Pune but also set a precedent for inclusive and sustainable mobility solutions across the country.