Aathira Haridas By

Want to ferry the smart way? And that too in a ‘smart’ auto rickshaw? Then Thiruvananthapuram is the place to be.

‘Vehicle ST smart auto’, an app based auto service, launched by Bangalore based startup company ‘VehicleST.com’ has roped in around ten autos in the city. The first city in Kerala to boast of this app-connected auto service, the autos are equipped with a tablet which has an emergency button for assistance.

Five autos from the Janamaitri auto stand near Pettah police station, one each from Pattom and Pallimukku area and three autos at Thampanoor are plying passengers the smart way. The venture has gone down well with the commuters as well as the drivers. “We had a great experience and the driver was very pleasant. The tablet helps as we can even monitor the route and ensure the auto doesn’t deviate from the route. It helps check any foul play and assures safety. This should be implemented across the state,” says Margaret Stanly, a music teacher at St Mary’s HSS Vizhinjam.

The passengers can locate autos through the app and contact the nearest driver through the phone number listed in the app. A tablet greets the passengers in the auto which gives details of the driver. The passenger can enter the destination, monitor the route, estimated time and speed of auto and browse internet for free.

“ The tablet has an emergency button connected to the police control room which ensures safety and till now all the passengers are totally content. They are happy as they can travel safe,” says Suresh Kumar M, driver at Janamaitri auto stand, Pettah. “It helps people who aren’t familiar with the city. Last day a family from Ernakulam who were new to the city found it useful as they could monitor the route as they travelled,” adds Joseph Augustian, another driver from the stand.

As the passenger alights, they will be prompted to rate the ride. Further they can post reviews about the auto drivers and at present as many as 40 passengers have reviewed the drivers. “The response has been overwhelming. We are flooded with requests by drivers to enlist them,” says Alwin George, CEO, Vehiclest. The company which gave the tablets for free is currently looking for sponsors.

Apart from the passenger fare, the auto drivers earns five percent share of the revenue generated from the ads of local businesses advertised in the tablets. The service is provided by the website VehicleST.com and the mobile app of the site.