The Delhi High Court has mandated that Rapido, a popular bike-taxi service, submit an audit report detailing the accessibility of its services for persons with disabilities. This order was issued by Justice Sanjeev Narula who is overseeing a petition filed by disability rights activist Amar Jain and visually-impaired banker Dipto Ghosh Chaudhary.
The court’s directive requires that the audit be conducted by an “Access Auditor” from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This follows a response from Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Rapido, which claimed to be actively working on various accessibility improvements.
Justice Narula, in his order dated August 28, emphasized the need for Rapido to also submit a compliance report, responding to the petitioner’s concerns about the company’s commitment to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. “The petitioners’ request is both reasonable and justified,” stated Justice Narula, setting a three-month deadline for the submission of these crucial documents.
Rapido’s efforts include overhauling its mobile application to make it fully accessible for individuals with disabilities, a process expected to take six to eight months. Additionally, the company is implementing extensive training programs for its drivers, referred to as captains, and staff to better serve customers with disabilities. These programs aim to equip them with the necessary skills to ensure supportive and accommodating service.
“The training is designed to foster an environment of inclusivity,” noted the company in its court submissions. Rapido also plans to establish a continuous monitoring and feedback mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the accessibility measures it implements.
The case is set to be heard again on December 6, with the court also requesting a response from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding this matter.
This legal action stems from a broader issue faced by persons with disabilities, who rely on digital platforms like Rapido for transportation but find these services inadequately accessible. The petition highlighted instances where individuals with disabilities were denied service, which the petitioners argue undermines their dignity and violates their rights.
