Riding a bike taxi in India is an experience unlike any other, but when you think of the bike taxi service, what comes to your mind? For most people in India, the first thing that comes to their mind is Rapido.
Rapido is India’s first and largest bike taxi service. Launched in August 2015, the company was founded by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, Rishikesh SR. From the chaotic streets of Delhi to the rural villages of Rajasthan, Rapido has quickly become the most popular way to get around. Here’s a look at the story behind Rapido and why it’s such a hit in India.
Rapido
Rapido, a bike taxi service in India, has gained immense popularity due to its affordability and convenience. Since its launch in late 2015, Rapido has expanded to several cities across the country. Here’s how it works: customers use the Rapido app to find a driver near them, choose a pickup and drop-off location, and confirm their ride.
The cost for a Rapido ride is about half of what you would pay for an Uber or Taxi ride. This makes Rapido perfect for short trips within city limits. Riders can also bring one passenger with them free of charge. So far, Rapido has been an enormous success, and there are no signs of it slowing down.
Rapido has been successfully operating for over two years and now boasts a whopping 25 million+ app downloads. What started as an idea to help people get around quickly and easily in congested cities has turned into a successful business venture. The service is currently available in major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
The last few years have been big for Rapido. Not only have they crossed the 10 million mark for happy customers, but they have also completed 100 million rides! That’s a whole lot of zipping around on two wheels, and the founders say that they couldn’t have done it without the support of their fantastic community.
The Concept Behind Rapido
Rapido started with just a few people and a handful of bikes. What’s even more impressive is that they were able to grow so quickly thanks to their fundamental concept of hiring people with two-wheelers. Rapido was founded with the intention of being different from its competitors, Ola and Uber.
Ever since the idea of Rapido bike taxi services was conceived, its founders wanted to do things differently as far as vehicle investment was concerned. Their thought process was that it is not necessary to have a fleet of cars when alternatives like two-wheelers are much more affordable. From this standpoint, Rapido has been a significant success in the bike taxi space in India. Rapido continues to be the flag bearer for two-wheeler transport.
Rapido captain app allowed users to register and verify their information on the app. This helped the company obtain all the necessary documents, as well as ensure that only original owners are registering. In addition, this helped Rapido keep a closer track of its two-wheeler fleet and better monitor maintenance needs.
Since its inception in 2015, Rapido has been Uber and Ola’s fiercest competition for everyday travel. You see, when Rapido first came on the scene, their business model was simple: provide affordable rides to anyone who needed them, and companies like Ola and Uber weren’t going to be able to compete on price. And so, over time, Rapido has slowly but surely become more and more popular.
Rapido – Key Highlights
Founded in November 2015 by Pavan Guntupalli, Rishikesh SR and Aravind Sanka with a mission to make urban transportation more efficient and comfortable, India’s bike taxi service, Rapido, has amassed a total of $130.2 million in funding to date. The company is one of the leaders in its field, and it looks poised to continue growing rapidly. In addition to providing an affordable and convenient way to get around cities, Rapido is also helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution levels. All in all, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Rapido has seen its valuation skyrocket to Rs 1,005 crore as of August 2019. This is thanks mainly to the company’s aggressive expansion plans, which have seen it rapidly expand its operations across the country.
Rapido has quickly become a favourite among commuters looking for a hassle-free way to get around with a strong focus on providing an efficient and convenient service. And with fares starting at just Rs 10 per ride, it’s no wonder that the company is attracting more and more passengers every day.
Founders
Pavan Guntupalli – Cofounder
Pavan previously worked at Samsung and went to the IIT for his education. Pavan is able to fluently speak Korean and is a software developer by education.
Rishikesh SR – Cofounder
Rishikesh, unlike Pavan and Aravind, attended the PES University and is also the creator of IMPStant and Karrier.
Aravind Sanka – Cofounder
Aravind was previously a Finance Business Partner at Flipkart and also attended the IIT for his education.
Final Word
Rapido is a prime example of how technology can help bridge the gap between different modes of transportation, making it easier than ever for people to get around. It has quickly become one of India’s most popular bike-sharing apps with its easy-to-use and straightforward interface.
The company has tapped into the growing demand for transportation solutions, and its focus on customer service has helped it build a loyal following among Indian commuters. Rapido’s low prices have made it an attractive option for budget-conscious riders.
The bike taxi service is certainly off to a great start, and its future goals are to maintain its software up to date while also adding exciting new features. With more people using bikes for transportation every day, it’s clear that services like Rapido will only become more popular.
