Rapido Introduces Back Shields For Its Captains

Rapido has announced the introduction of ‘Rapido Back Shields’ as an added measure of safety for its Captains (driver-partners) and customers. Rapido Back Shields will aim at further increasing the safety aspect of using bike taxi during this ongoing pandemic.

The Rapido Shield, which weighs around 400gms, will be worn by the Captain during rides, will prevent any contact from the customer on the pillion seat. The Rapido Shield is a lightweight, PVC board that will be attached to the Captain’s back like a rucksack. The shield will cover the Captain’s body and will make for considerable distance between the rider and the captain. Rapido will bear the cost of installation, providing it free of cost to their Captains, to further ease the financial burden on the Captains while ensuring successful adoption.

Announcing the new initiative, Aravind Sanka, Co-Founder, Rapido, said, “Safety of our customers is of prime concern to us. We want them to feel safe and assured whenever they use Rapido. From using masks, sanitisers and ensuring regular checks of Captains, now we have worked on an innovative back shield that will act as a protective gear that will further increase the safety of our rides.”

Rapido test rode the shields in cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, etc. with around 800 Captains wearing the shield and completing rides. The test run included testing the aerodynamics of various materials to build a shield with the right size and quality that is compact and comfortable for the rider and minimises touch points for the customers during the rides.

The Captains also have to follow certain mandatory guidelines like:

▪ Installing and using the Aarogya Setu app before they can go On-duty to start accepting orders

▪ Wearing a mask and carry sanitizers, hair net in addition to the mandatory helmets at all times

▪ Maintaining personal hygiene and sanitizing their bikes before onboarding customers

▪ Captains will also get a checklist of items and declaration that they have to adhere to before accepting rides. This will be done every time a Captains goes online.