Flexibility is often seen as the most significant advantage of the gig economy. But when it comes to passenger safety, too much flexibility can quickly become a problem. One of the least discussed aspects of app-based mobility is training, how seriously it is taken, how much of it actually exists, and whether it is enforced.
On many gig platforms, onboarding is quick, and training is minimal. A few videos, basic instructions, and drivers are ready to go. Rapido has taken a different approach, especially for bike taxis, where riders and passengers are more exposed and margins for error are smaller.
Before a Rapido Captain can accept even a single ride, they must complete a structured, app-based training programme. This training is not just a formality. It covers professional behaviour, respectful interaction with passengers, especially women, emergency response protocols, hygiene standards, communication tone, and handling disputes.
Most importantly, the training is mandatory. Captains cannot go live on the platform unless they complete all required modules. Training status is tracked digitally, and behaviour after activation is closely monitored. Low ratings, repeated complaints, or safety flags can trigger retraining or even deactivation. In simple terms, Rapido treats safety as a skill that must be learned and demonstrated, not as a rule to be glanced at and forgotten.
This approach matters because training influences behaviour. When riders know they will be held accountable not just for traffic rules but for conduct and professionalism, standards improve. For passengers, this means more predictable, respectful ride experiences. The idea is similar to how safety works in other sectors. A licence alone does not guarantee safe operation. What matters is whether individuals are trained, tested, and regularly evaluated. While bike taxis are very different from aviation or rail, the principle is the same: preparedness cannot be optional.
Training also sends a clear message to the workforce. It signals that professionalism is expected and that the platform values trust over speed or scale. Not every rider will qualify, and that is intentional.
As cities like Mumbai become increasingly dependent on gig workers for last-mile mobility, training is no longer just an internal platform decision. It is a public interest issue. Platforms that invest in structured, enforced training do more than protect their own reputation, they raise safety standards for the entire urban transport ecosystem.
In the current debate around bike taxi safety, these distinctions matter. The conversation should not be about whether bike taxis exist, but about how seriously safety is built into the systems that support them.
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