SUMMARY
- The Delhi HC has ordered Rapido to conduct an accessibility audit for people with disabilities.
- The visually impaired petitioners have complained about concerns over Rapido’s mobile application’s accessibility for those with disabilities.
- Despite a 50% hike in net losses to ₹674.5 Cr, Rapido’s operating revenue grew significantly to ₹443 Cr in the current FY.
Rapido, the bike-taxi aggregator has been ordered by the Delhi High Court to provide an audit report on how accessible its services are to people with disability within three months.
During the hearing of a petition filed by visually impaired banker Dipto Ghosh Chaudhary and disability rights activist Amar Jain, Justice Sanjeev Narula asked for an “Access Auditor” affiliated with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities would be carrying out the audit.
The visually impaired petitioners have complained about concerns over Rapido’s mobile application’s accessibility for those with disabilities. As per their claims, the app does not address the needs of people with disabilities which raises issues about them promising equal access to everyone.
In response to the petition, Rapido assured that it would upgrade its app within 6-8 months to meet the required changes mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Along with this assurance, they also ensured an upcoming training program for its captains and employees to make sure they can serve PwD in a supportive manner, along with a feedback system for the customers.
The head of the non-profit organization, “Mission Accessibility”, Jain, wrote on LinkedIn that they are on a mission to close the accessibility gaps that prevent people with disabilities from using ride-hailing services.
Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR-led Rapido mainly focus on bike taxi and vehicle transportation services. Some of their investors include TVS Motor, Nexus Venture Partners, Shell Ventures, and Swiggy.
From ₹439 crore in the previous fiscal year to ₹674.5 crore in the current fiscal year, Rapido’s net loss increased by more than 50%. Operating revenue in FY22 was ₹144.8 crore, but it shot up to ₹443 crore.
