Ride hailing company Uber and automaker Bajaj have partnered with each other to install safety partitions in one lakh auto rickshaws in India. In what can be termed as a best case practice and healthy collaboration across two industries, this move comes on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic which is spreading across the world. The installation of the safety partition aims to make Uber auto rides safer for both the driver partner and the passengers. The safety partition also improves the brand trust and value for both Uber and Bajaj. The partnership also aims to make travel in the new normal safer for both riders and the driver.
Safety kits consisting of face masks, hand sanitizers and vehicle disinfectants will also be distributed to 1,00,000 auto rickshaw drivers across 20 cities including New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai and Pune. The other cities include Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mysore and Madurai. Uber has also been using its technology to provide driver partners with training on usage of PPE kits and sanitisation protocols for their vehicles via the Uber app.
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Uber has resumed 70% of its operations across India since the lockdown rules have been relaxed by the government. “We are seeing green shoots and most importantly the recovery is strongest in our auto product. It is because of the price point, reliability and many other factors (sic,)” said Nandini Maheshwari, Director Business Development, Uber APAC, in an interview. “When you take an auto rickshaw we want you to know that you will be hundred percent safe and secure (sic.)”
“As our country opens up, we at Bajaj Auto are keen to assist our driver partners in giving a safe ride to their customers (sic,)” said Samardeep Subandh,President Intra City Business, Bajaj Auto. Furthermore, Subandh also said “Towards that, we are reaching out to more than 100,000 drivers to install safety partitions and deliver disinfection kits irrespective of the make of the vehicle (sic.)”