Ola, Uber rival Rapido to launch women-only bike taxi service in Karnataka, creating 25,000 jobs for women

Bengaluru-based ride-hailing service provider Rapido plans to introduce a new fleet of "Pink Rapido" bikes in Karnataka by the end of this year, offering a women-driven service exclusively for women passengers.

The company’s co-founder, Pavan Guntupalli, announced the initiative on Friday while speaking at the Global Investors Summit in Bengaluru, according to the Economic Times.

Creating jobs for 25,000 women

Guntupalli reportedly said Rapido wants to create 25,000 job opportunities by training and hiring women to serve as “captains” on its bike service. He explained that ensuring a safe environment is central to the plan, adding that it will be considered a success if a female passenger can feel comfortable travelling with a driver she has never met before.

He also highlighted the importance of an empowering work setting for these new hires. Rapido has introduced safety measures, and Guntupalli said even women without advanced education or specialized skills are welcome.

About 35% of Rapido’s current workforce comes from smaller cities and towns, and he believes this number will grow as more women in local communities join the platform.

Focus on safety and empowerment

Rapido has already tried a similar program elsewhere. In September 2023, it launched a “Bike Pink” service in Chennai, where female drivers used company-supplied electric bikes to give rides to women commuters. Those drivers received training in safety and driving skills through local nonprofit groups.

Rapido said it had more than 100 active female drivers in Chennai when the service began and aimed to increase that number to more than 500 in the following months.

Competition in this area is also growing. Uber introduced “Uber Moto Women” in Bengaluru in December 2024 to connect female riders with female drivers, adding more choices for women seeking safe transportation within the city.

Advice for entrepreneurs and women

At the same summit, Guntupalli urged aspiring entrepreneurs to work together and keep moving forward, saying that a single person can spark progress, but a group can bring about a major revolution.

His comments were echoed by Radhika Gupta, managing director of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, who reminded participants that business success lies in finding ways to solve problems and improve lives. She encouraged young people to grab every opportunity to create meaningful change, especially as Karnataka moves closer to becoming a trillion-dollar economy.

She also offered a simple investment tip, saying a systematic investment plan (SIP) is like a secure “sweetheart” in one’s purse, since its real benefit appears in the long run. 

Madan Padaki, a social entrepreneur and president of TiE Bengaluru, concluded by saying that the drive to build businesses is strong across Karnataka, not just in Bengaluru but in every city and village. He believes that Indian entrepreneurs are focused on improving lives and not just on making money.