Covid-19 impact: Mahindra-backed Meru introduces additional safety measures

Meru Mobility Tech, one of the oldest app-based ride-hailing cab operator in India, in which Mahindra & Mahindra now holds a majority stake, has introduced several measures to enable customer safety during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The company says these measures are aimed to provide a healthy and safe ride for the passengers as well as help the drivers maintain the highest standards of hygiene, both personally as well as within the cabs.

Meru says it is continuously educating and updating its driver partners on various preventive measures like using alcohol-based sanitizers, wearing face masks while changing them regularly, encouraging cashless payment to minimise personal touch as well as maintaining social distancing amongst fellow drivers. These measures are aimed at upgrading levels of hygiene within the cabs as well which will provide for a pleasant and safe ride for its passengers.

The company has launched this initiative through a series of activities that include distribution of sanitizers and masks, on-site training of drivers, message blasts and distribution of do’s and don’ts leaflets for their driver partners. Since the driver earnings have been severally impacted Meru has waived off their commissions and has launched incentive schemes for the deserving driver partners who are serving its customers during these trying times.

In addition, Meru cabs has introduced a unique ‘Ozone Treatment’ to sanitize the cabs at designated hubs in the city. This process helps by releasing Ozone (O3) air inside every cab and in the process reducing the extent of viruses and bacteria. The O3 air easily permeates through vents, far seats, under saturate upholstery fibers and reach all the nooks and crannies in the vehicle which are usually hard to reach. This Pan India initiative of Meru has so far been carried out for over 1,000 cabs and counting.

Commenting on the initiatives, Neeraj Gupta, founder and CEO, Meru Mobility Tech said, “Meru has always focused on serving mobility needs of its customer base in a hassle-free manner. To mitigate the risk of contracting the virus, we have taken several measures to reassure customers and maintain the safety of both the rider and driver partner. I am sure that these measures in conjunction with the general awareness of both our drivers and passengers will make traveling in a Meru cab much more safe during these times.”

To make travel more accessible to everyone, Meru has reduced its fares by a flat 40 percent, and the company says riders can use the cabs at fares starting at Rs 39 in select cities which will include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
 

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