SHERYDS is a special initiative Bike Taxi service across 12 metro stations launched by The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). While RYDR has been launched for all passengers, SHERYDS provide women drivers exclusively for women passengers ensuring women safety and empowerment. The initiative also aims to create employment opportunities for women.
About the Initiative
SHERYDS, a Women’s Bike Taxi initiative, has been launched by DMRC in collaboration with AutoPay. The service operates from 8 AM to 9 PM. According to officials, the service operates within a radius of 3–5 km. The fare begins at a minimum of ₹10, followed by ₹10 per km for the first 2 km and ₹8 per km thereafter.
The total count of SHERYDS and RYDR will go up to around 1,000 each. Currently, the bike taxi service is available at 12 Metro stations: Dwarka Sector-21, Dwarka Sector-10, Dwarka Sector-14, Dwarka Mor, Janakpuri West, Uttam Nagar East, Rajouri Garden, Subhash Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Karol Bagh, Millennium City Centre (Gurugram), Vishwavidyalaya, and Palam.
How to Access SHERYDS
To use SHERYDS, passengers must download the Delhi Metro Sarthi App on their Android/iOS device and sign in using their mobile number. In the Metro Services section, select Book Bike Taxi. Enter or allow access to your pickup location, then add your drop location. Enable the “Need a Female Rider” toggle before booking. If a female rider is unavailable at the moment, the app will notify you and suggest alternatives under RYDR. Once booked, the rider generally arrives within 5 minutes.
Benefits of Using SHERYDS Bike Taxis
SHERYDS and RYDR bikes are typically white, orange or yellow and run on electric vehicles, which reduces carbon emissions and promotes environmental sustainability. The bikes are compact and lightweight, providing a comfortable riding experience. The initiative enhances women’s safety, provides a reliable last-mile transport solution, and eliminates the inconvenience of searching for affordable transport or walking long distances. All vehicles are GPS-enabled, ensuring secure travel and timely arrival.
Significantly, the initiative also supports women’s economic empowerment, offering employment opportunities and reinforcing their independence.
Views of the Women Drivers
SHERYDS challenges conventional stereotypes that associate driving professions such as autos, rickshaws, and bike taxis primarily with men. For some drivers, the initiative has also been a way to pursue personal passion. “Driving is my passion, and I love being a part of this initiative,” one rider shared.Women drivers involved in the initiative express pride in their work and identity. Sujata Dass, one of the SHERYDS drivers, shared with Hindustan Times:
I am very proud of my work, being a woman in a male-dominated profession. My kids are equally proud of me. They talk about me to their friends, and the fact that I can keep myself financially independent gives me a lot of satisfaction.
The initiative has encouraged women to step outside traditional domestic roles, follow their interests, achieve financial independence through employment oppurtunity, and gain confidence in their skills.
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