Online cab aggregator Ola will be launching 5,100 Ola electric rickshaws on its mobile app in partnership with Bhartiya Micro Credit (BMC) across Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad later in the day today. Ola states that this is a part of the ‘Stand Up India’ initiative and has plans to expand to small towns and Tier III cities in the country. The electric rickshaws will give cycle rickshaw drivers to ‘upgrade as skilled e-rickshaw drivers’ and sign up on the Ola platform, the company’s press statement said. Ola and BMC will also set up skill development centres in the above mentioned towns to train rickshaw drivers. The statement adds that over 60% of India’s population lives in small towns and that Ola aims to strengthen mobility here using technology and electric rickshaws. Dr Mahesh Sharma, MoS, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said, “.. With Ola’s technology and BMC’s support, we are confident that many cycle rickshaw-pullers will grow into e-rickshaw driver-entrepreneurs, addressing the mobility needs of this country.” It is unclear what the mode of payment for electric rickshaws will be, but we imagine that the usual methods of payment for Ola should apply. In March 2015, Ola introduced cashless payments for rides on autorickshaws and kaali peeli taxis through its in-app wallet Ola Money across multiple cities. Ola Auto prices slashed: In February, Ola slashed fares for Ola Auto in Ahmedabad and Indore by 50% each. Ahmedabad users could get an Ola Auto for Rs 4 per km…
