Pune: Shared And Prepaid Rickshaw Service To Begin At SNDT Metro Station
Pune: Shared And Prepaid Rickshaw Service To Begin At SNDT Metro Station
Pune, March 13, 2026: In a move aimed at improving convenience for metro commuters and addressing the issue of last-mile connectivity, a new “Rikshamitra Shared and Prepaid Auto-Rickshaw Project” will be launched at the SNDT Metro Station in Kothrud.
The project will be inaugurated on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM by Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, whose support has been instrumental in initiating the service.
Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and MahaMetro Director Shravan Hardikar will attend the event as chief guests.
Earlier attempts to introduce shared auto-rickshaw services at metro stations had been made, but they did not receive the expected response. As a result, no metro station in Pune currently has a regular shared rickshaw service.
However, the “Rikshamitra” initiative has been successfully operating a prepaid rickshaw service at Pune Railway Station for nearly two years, receiving a positive response from both commuters and auto-rickshaw drivers. Building on this successful experience, the organisers have decided to introduce a similar shared rickshaw service at metro stations.
The pilot project beginning at SNDT Metro Station in Kothrud is expected to serve as an important experiment. If successful, it could significantly help solve the last-mile connectivity challenge faced by Pune Metro commuters.
With this service, passengers will no longer need to rely on private vehicles or search for transport after exiting the metro. Affordable shared and prepaid auto-rickshaw services will be available to travel to nearby areas from the metro station.
The initiative will be managed and operated by Pune-based startup Kevolution Technology Private Limited in collaboration with the Baghtoy Rikshawala organisation. The project will use modern technology to make the rickshaw service more organised, safe, and convenient for passengers.
The “Rikshamitra Shared Rickshaw Project” aims to make public transport in Pune more efficient and commuter-friendly, and it is expected to benefit metro passengers, local residents, and auto-rickshaw drivers alike.
