Cab Segment Accounts for Up to 25% of Rapido’s Total Bookings: Aravind Sanka

Ride-hailing unicorn Rapido’s rapid expansion of its four-wheeler segment

Rapido, the rapidly growing ride-hailing unicorn best known for its two-wheeler taxi services, is now making significant strides in scaling its four-wheeler segment. This move is part of a strategic effort to diversify its offerings and capture a larger share of the highly competitive mobility market. Currently, the four-wheeler segment contributes up to 25% of Rapido’s total bookings, indicating a strong and growing customer interest beyond its traditional bike taxi service.

In a detailed interview with Udisha Srivastav, Aravind Sanka, the co-founder of Rapido, shared valuable insights into the company’s approach and future plans surrounding this segment expansion. He explained that Rapido recognizes the importance of catering to varied customer needs, and the four-wheeler service allows the company to serve a broader demographic, including families, groups, and customers seeking more comfort and safety during travel.

One significant development that has accelerated Rapido’s growth in the four-wheeler space is the exit of BluSmart, a major player in electric vehicle (EV) mobility. BluSmart’s departure has opened up opportunities for Rapido to fill the void and expand its presence in the electric and green mobility sector. Aravind highlighted that this shift aligns with Rapido’s own ambitions to promote environmentally friendly transportation options. The company is actively pushing towards green mobility by integrating electric vehicles into its fleet, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and contribute positively to sustainability efforts.

Moreover, the expansion into four-wheelers requires navigating a complex landscape of state-specific policies and regulations, which can vary widely across India’s diverse regions. Aravind detailed how Rapido is actively engaging with policymakers and regulators to ensure compliance and smooth operation. This proactive approach helps the company adapt to local requirements and challenges while delivering consistent service quality to its customers.

Rapido’s strategy to scale its four-wheeler segment is also supported by technological innovation. The company is investing in improving its platform to handle the logistics, booking management, and driver coordination necessary for the larger and more complex four-wheeler fleet. Enhanced data analytics and operational efficiency tools enable Rapido to optimize routes, reduce waiting times, and improve overall customer satisfaction.

The four-wheeler segment’s rapid growth is a testament to Rapido’s vision of becoming a comprehensive mobility provider rather than remaining confined to a niche bike taxi service. By broadening its portfolio, Rapido not only increases its revenue streams but also strengthens its competitive edge in the fast-evolving ride-hailing industry.

Aravind also emphasized the importance of understanding customer preferences and continuously innovating to meet their expectations. This includes offering competitive pricing, ensuring safety and comfort, and providing seamless digital experiences through the Rapido app. The company is focused on building trust and reliability, which are critical factors for retaining customers in such a competitive sector.

In conclusion, Rapido’s aggressive expansion into the four-wheeler segment reflects a well-calculated strategy to diversify its business, leverage market opportunities created by competitors’ exits, and commit to green mobility principles. With a strong leadership vision and focus on technology and customer satisfaction, Rapido is well-positioned to cement its place as a leading player in India’s ride-hailing ecosystem across multiple vehicle categories.