5 months ago
1
South Western Railway (SWR) has stepped up efforts to marque railway stations successful Bengaluru much passenger-friendly by introducing a scope of caller amenities, including air-conditioned waiting areas, dedicated booking kiosks for cab and car aggregators, and expanded nutrient and beverage options featuring large catering work providers and fashionable edifice chains, including planetary brands.
As portion of this initiative, ride-hailing level Rapido connected Monday began operations of a dedicated rider booking kiosk astatine Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Bengaluru railway presumption astatine Majestic. Another aggregator, Namma Yatri, is besides acceptable to commencement a akin kiosk astatine the presumption successful the coming days.
According to officials of the Bengaluru part of SWR, the 2 aggregators volition unneurotic wage an yearly licence interest of ₹53 lakh for operating kiosks crossed six railway stations successful the city.
Speaking to The Hindu, Railway officials said that the kiosks are aimed astatine improving last-mile connectivity for passengers, particularly those unfamiliar with app-based bookings oregon facing connectivity issues. “Passengers tin straight attack these kiosks to publication autos oregon cabs, making the process much convenient and organised. At the aforesaid time, it helps Railways make a dependable watercourse of non-fare revenue,” an authoritative explained.
A Rapido spokesperson said the kiosks astatine Bengaluru’s busiest transit hub are intended to easiness question for thousands of regular commuters and long-distance passengers. “The dedicated rider booking kiosks astatine KSR presumption are designed to simplify last-mile connectivity astatine 1 of the city’s busiest transit hubs. These booths assistance passengers observe rides faster, get fare clarity, and link seamlessly with adjacent captains, reducing friction and hold times,” Rapido spokesperson told The Hindu.
“By combining carnal infrastructure with our tech-first level and operational innovation, we purpose to amended safety, trust, and wide rider experience,” the spokesperson added..
Encouraged by the response, SWR plans to widen the installation to respective different cardinal stations successful the city. Similar kiosks are projected astatine Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal successful Baiyappanahalli, Yeshwantpur, Hoodi, Krishnarajapuram, and Whitefield railway stations.
Beyond mobility services, the Bengaluru part is besides looking to importantly upgrade presumption amenities done the instauration of much organised nutrient and retail options.
An authoritative said: “Discussions are nether mode with established catering work providers arsenic good arsenic well-known planetary fast-food and edifice chains to acceptable up outlets astatine large stations. These additions are expected not lone to amended rider comfortableness and prime but besides to lend to sustained non-fare gross procreation for the Railways.”s
