Rapido announces free rides to senior citizens, differently-abled voters in Bengaluru on Friday

Ride-hailing platform Rapido has announced an initiative to support differently-abled and senior citizen voters in Karnataka during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

As part of its "SawaariZimmedariKi" campaign, the startup will provide complimentary bike taxi, auto, and cab rides across Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru. 

Voters in these cities can access free transportation to and from polling stations by using the code ‘VOTENOW’ on April 26, 2024.

Collaboration with election authorities

The initiative, in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), aims to champion civic engagement and facilitate an easier voting process for those with mobility challenges. 

Rapido's move is a response to the need for greater electoral participation and is aligned with efforts to ensure that all demographic groups have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights without constraints.

Commitment from Rapido's leadership

Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, said, "We are undertaking this initiative to ensure that every voter in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru can successfully fulfill their civic duty by casting their votes in the Indian General Election 2024," he said.

Guntupalli said Rapido has deployed all available resources to ensure that voters in Bengaluru can participate in the electoral process.

"We want to specifically ensure that differently abled and senior citizen voters have equitable access to exercise their democratic right. By extending free auto and cab rides to them, we are redoubling our commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility,” Rapido’s Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli said.