Kochi: Auto Driver’s Body Win Award For Innovation In Urban Transport During COVID-19
The Ernakulam Jilla Autorickshaw Motorist’s Cooperative Society (EJADCS) which consists of six trade unions and is considered to be unique has actually won the distinguished award for ‘Innovation in metropolitan transportation throughout COVID-19’ under the public transportation section at the Urban Movement India (UMI) conference – 2020.
The awards are conducted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, EJADCS defeated rivals like Kochi City Rail’s last-mile services, Bengaluru and Chennai metro’s e-mobility ventures to win the award.
The society surprised the jury by providing its ruthless support for the operate in these difficult times of COVID-19. The contest saw the participation of roadway transport corporations, metro rails,e-mobility endeavors from all the states and union areas.
The formal statement of the awards will happen on Monday. Taking into factor to consider the safety protocols associated with COVID-19 pandemic the society even set up QR codes in every member’s auto for contactless transactions.Simon Edappally, director board member of the society discussed the initiatives taken by them to help the chauffeurs and how they offered pollution-free travel to the public. The earnings of drivers have decreased from 1000 in the pre-COVID period to listed below 300 throughout COIVD. Using the CSR fund of various PSUs, they offered a fundamentals kit for each chauffeur. Apart from this, they provided transparent physical separators for safety cabin in 320 autos.”Our member drivers have food packets prepared at their homes and water for the travelers who had a hard time to find hotels during the lockdown. The award committees have thought about all these elements while picking us for the award,”Simon said.The chairman of CPPR, a Kochi based think-tank D.Dhanuraj said that policy-level interventions were needed by Kochi Metropolitan Transportation Authority(KMTA ), in order to take the initiative to the next level.”As part of guaranteeing last-mile connection for major transport sections, a precise policy needs to be developed by KMTA. Otherwise, such efforts could not be sustained in the long-run,”Dhanuraj said.The launch of Ausa an autorickshaw ride-booking app is awaited by the society so that they can offer smooth and safe access to the customers.They even presented’PetroCard ‘in association with public oil business to offer away a benefit for the drivers on each time they fill fuel on their vehicles.Simon likewise mentioned that they have actually also launched the logo of their Uber-model mobile app and
it will be totally functional within a month. Playing as a feeder service to the first level transport like city and buses, the app will assist guests across Kochi
. It will likewise help them to rent a car for an entire day.”We have actually likewise collaborated with supermarkets and mall to safely provide necessary to the doorsteps of consumers through our autos. We are also supplying financial backing to the members to buy CNG-fuelled and electric cars,” stated Simon.The collaboration of EJADC and Kochi Corporation to run 100 e-autos likewise assisted them to win this award, reported New Indian Express. The job is introduced as part corporation’s Integrated Sustainable Urban Transportation Systems for Smart Cities(SMART-SUT)plan was supported by GIZ (the German Firm for International Cooperation).
“Irrespective of political association, the society is representing the well-being of the staff members,”he said.About 5,000 car chauffeurs are a part
of the society till now and it intends at registering around 27,000 chauffeurs of Ernakulam till the next year.