Rising urban population and its resultant automobile population is one of the biggest challenges for the modern urban planners.

What we need today is an innovative solution, such as cab sharing in Delhi. Based on the idea of carpooling, cab sharing apps are the latest big thing for daily commuters in the Capital. However, car-sharing is not just a fad. This mode of traveling has some serious benefits for a city like Delhi that is grappling with multiple urban travel problems.

So, what are these benefits? Let us see some of these in detail:

Less stress on environment – An obvious benefit of car-sharing is its environment friendly effect. When you pool your ride with another person, you divide the amount of petrol spent. You also lessen automobile pollution. Now just multiply this benefit! Given that you will be sharing your ride with more than two people, the carbon footprints of one single ride are significant.

In a highly polluted city like Delhi, this benefit is extremely important. As study after study shows air pollution level in Delhi are rising alarmingly. The heavy number of vehicles on its roads is one of the major reasons. Car sharing services can go a long way in reducing this very worrying problem.

Unclog the roads – Delhi has more cars on its roads than any other city in India. Despite many initiatives by the Delhi government for more efficient road and traffic systems, the sheer number of cars make the Capital’s roads almost always traffic logged.

Car sharing services offer a novel solution to this problem. By pooling rides with others we automatically reduce the number of cars on the road. Since ride-sharing services aim for three or more co-commuters, the potential decrease in vehicular traffic is significant. In other words, we have lesser cars, reduced traffic and a much smoother ride!

Alternative to public transport – Public transport is the lifeline of a big city like Delhi. Millions of people, from a labourer to a student, rely on the various means of transport for work and leisure. However, given Delhi’s exploding population, public transport falls quite short of its requirement. Car-sharing services offer an important alternative. Best of all, it requires no additional investment. Instead, it uses existing resources in a more efficient manner!

Safety – Delhi has always been a red spot when it comes to women safety. One of the major concerns is the provision of a safe mode of transport. New car-sharing services ensure this by including a number of security features, such as providing accurate information about fellow-riders, alarm buttons and other innovative features.

Car-sharing services clearly have many benefits for a city like Delhi. It provides an alternative means of public transport that is safe and efficient. 

Until recently the idea of cab sharing in Delhi would seem foolhardy. Given the status of women security in the Capital, the idea was as good as asking for trouble. Luckily the internet has given us means that makes things safer and more efficient! Now you can get all the benefits of shared cabs with innovative security features.

The safety factor – For any woman traveling by a shared cab, the prime concern is undoubtedly the safety factor. Even on-call cabs for personal use are not exactly security proof. Driver misbehavior towards women passenger has made headlines in recent past, making even regular cabs in Delhi a matter of security concern for women.

In the case of shared cabs, the problem just multiplies. Not only the driver, have you had to worry about your fellow passengers as well. Given that most modern cars have a central locking system, many women naturally feel threatened by the idea of sharing such confined space with strangers. The NCR’s dismal crime statics against women just make this anxiety worse.

So, how do the new shared cab services tackle this issue?

Choose your driver -You can start by choosing who you travel with. Let us begin with the driver. Cab services solve this problem by giving you proper contact information. You will be given phone numbers and names. This basic information can then be sent to your immediate contacts, so there is a correct record in case of any mishap. This in itself acts as a deterrent.

Many cab sharing services also allow you to select the gender of the driver. If you feel safer with women, simply select a woman driver.

Know your fellow passenger – The simple procedure for selecting the driver also applies to your fellow passengers. Cab sharing services usually work by swapping information on fellow commuters who are going your way. You can select passengers who seem safe. As in the case of your driver, you will be given all relevant contact information. If you are still wary, look for an all-women commute.

Establishing secondary contacts – A highly effective system, followed by many cab services in Delhi, is the maintaining of an emergency contact log. This acts as both a deterrent and an information system. Commuters are asked for contacts in case of emergencies. Your contact is notified almost immediately if there is any mishap. This could be an accident or any suspicious activity by fellow passengers.

This allows your contact to keep in tab on your whereabouts. Since this system is often mandatory, your fellow passengers are also well aware of its existence. They are aware that the result of any wrong action is traceable and swift.

Adding security features – Other security features include quick back-up in case of emergencies and an efficient alarm system. Most apps have an SOS button that can be triggered if you think you are in danger. For instance, if there is any deviation in the established route or if you feel threatened by your fellow passengers, simply click on this SOS button.

With women forming a sizeable bulk of commuter traffic, cab services in Delhi have established a number of foolproof measures for their safety. So, just follow some simple measures, be safe and travel without any worries!