Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has unveiled ‘Enroute: A Mobility-As-A-Service Challenge’ to enhance public transit efficiency in Bengaluru. The initiative, in partnership with Villgro and WRI India, aims to revolutionise public transportation by leveraging open data resources from Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
The challenge invites startups to develop integrated solutions for real-time updates on public transit schedules, efficient journey planning, and unified ticketing. The top three startups will receive seed funding and the opportunity to pilot their solutions.
Research by WRI India indicates that approximately 70% of Bengaluru's metro users commute for work, often facing obstacles such as increased wait times and lack of last-mile connectivity. The ‘Enroute: A Mobility-As-A-Service Challenge’ aims to address these issues by integrating various modes of transport into a cohesive platform, significantly improving overall mobility in Bengaluru.
Launched by Prof Rajeev Gowda, Former Member of Parliament and Former Vice Chairman of Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission (KSPPC), the challenge aims to create a unified transportation platform to improve the commuting experience in Bengaluru. “Enroute is a revolutionary step for Bengaluru’s mobility and can serve as a model for transit networks across the country,” said Gowda.
Maheshwar Rao, Managing Director of BMRCL, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the potential of public transport data to improve commuting convenience. “We believe some interesting solutions can emerge from this challenge,” he said.
Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, stated, “India’s vibrant startup ecosystem exemplifies the spirit of innovation that we champion at MBRDI. Leveraging the power of technology, we are committed to innovative mobility and transport solutions that improve the quality of life in cities.”
Pawan Mulukutla, Executive Director at WRI India, added, “Open data in Bengaluru's public transport is a step towards smarter, more efficient, and inclusive urban mobility. Enroute aims to empower citizens with real-time information, enhance public transport reliability, and foster innovation.”
Ananth Aravamudan, Chief of Program & Strategy at Villgro, called upon startups to participate, stating, “Our goal is to solve for public mobility by encouraging the development of smart, efficient, and user-friendly transportation solutions.”
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