Startups compete to offer smart solutions for Metro last-mile links

Winners include app-based bike rentals and car-pooling

Amid the debate on providing last-mile connectivity to Metro users, World Resources Institute (WRI) India and Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Stamp Pitch Day on Saturday convened a workshop inviting startups to suggest some smart solutions.

The Stamp challenge competition saw 13 startups making presentations on improving urban mobility in a day-long programme “Unlock Bengaluru: Cityscape’’.

The theme was on effective first and last-mile connectivity in Bengaluru from Metro stations. At the end of the event, chief operating officer of Toyota Mobility Foundation Shin Aoyama announced the results. Metro Bikes stood first, while Quick Ride and Hyperloop India won the second and third places respectively. Constapark and CiFoS were in the fourth and fifth places.

Aoyama told the winners that Toyota Mobility Foundation and WRI India will remain in touch with them and work together to find a viable solution to bridge the gap of last-mile connectivity.

Minister for Industries R V Deshpande hailed the private sector for its various initiatives in transforming urban infrastructure, employment opportunities and mobility. He said the state government too had pitched for suburban rail to resolve traffic issues. The minister said the urban population has increased exponentially mainly due to lack of job opportunities in rural areas.

12-point suggestion

Speaking on the occasion, urban expert and member of BBMP restructuring committee V Ravichandar presented a 12-point suggestion to improve the urban space in Bengaluru including dividing the Bengaluru municipal corporation into small clusters for better administration and a separate governing law for the city.

Earlier, the CEO of WRI India Jamshyd Godrej said WRI India Ross Centre for Sustainable City Growth identified Bengaluru as one of the four deep engagement cities. The Stamp challenge competition for last-mile connectivity is part of the drive.