Odisha’s CRUT-managed AMA E-Ride service is navigating workforce shortages and maintenance issues, with its operational fleet shrinking from 50 to 38 e-rickshaws. While the initiative provides employment for marginalized groups in Bhubaneswar, drivers are raising concerns regarding compensation and the physical demands of the job, forcing the transit body to evaluate its future operational model.
The AMA E-Ride initiative, introduced by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) in Bhubaneswar in May 2022, is currently facing significant operational and financial challenges. Originally designed to provide sustainable last-mile connectivity through the employment of women, transgender, and marginalized individuals, the project is now at a critical juncture. The service, which charges a flat fare of Rs 10 per ride, is struggling to maintain its initial service levels as the fleet size has contracted.
Operational Fleet and Maintenance Issues
Recent data indicates that the active fleet has dropped from the initial 50 e-rickshaws to 38 operational units. This decline is largely attributed to maintenance backlogs and difficulties in maintaining a consistent workforce. The reliance on centralized management for technical support and operations has led to bottlenecks, particularly when vehicles require repairs. In contrast to the centrally managed Bhubaneswar model, CRUT’s involvement in Puri involves providing technical guidance to a more decentralized municipal service, which currently comprises approximately 20 vehicles.
Compensation and Workforce Sustainability
Drivers currently earn a fixed monthly salary of Rs 15,500, with an allowance of four paid leaves per month. However, this structure is facing scrutiny from the workforce. Drivers have highlighted that the lack of additional benefits, such as health coverage, combined with the physical strain of performing an average of 22 trips per shift, has led to dissatisfaction. The current model does not account for performance-based incentives or variable pay, which may be a factor in the difficulty of retaining drivers. These labor issues are particularly important as they impact the reliability and frequency of the service, which are essential for public transit viability.
Future Strategic Shift
To address these ongoing problems, CRUT management is exploring a transition toward a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The goal of this shift is to improve the financial sustainability of the project and ensure more efficient fleet maintenance. As the service attempts to expand to other cities such as Sambalpur, the success of this model will depend on balancing the social objective of providing livelihoods with the economic necessity of operational efficiency. Investors and observers of urban transport policy will be tracking how the transition to a PPP model affects the quality of service, the cost structure of the rides, and the overall stability of the workforce.