There is no running away from the fact that in order to make our roads safer, quieter and less toxic for our lungs, the future of transportation system will be built on four key pillars – zero-emissions vehicles, autonomous commute, connected services and shared mobility. While the first three will take a long time to be implemented, it’s the fourth pillar that can set the initial momentum for the inevitable radical change.

In order to promote and boost the concept of shared mobility in Pune, Ford has partnered with Hinjawadi Industries Association (HIA) and launched Office Ride. It is, essentially, an app-based shared mobility solution, designed specifically for the 3.5 lakh commuters employed in the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park (RGIP). The massive campus is spread over 2,800 acres and houses 180 IT companies.

Presently, less than 10 per cent of the workforce employed in RGIP use public transportation or any other means of shared mobility for their daily commute. By introducing Office Ride, which is now part of Pune’s Metrozip family, Ford has paved the way for the citizens to contribute towards a less congested and a less polluted travelling environment.

Each vehicle catering to Ford’s Office Ride solution will offer free Wi-Fi connectivity to all the commuters. Additionally, the mobile application will also have features like vehicle tracking, which should help travellers to plan their journey with ease. To make the journey smoother, travellers will be able to pay for their daily commute via various digital mediums including credit/debit cards, digital wallets and internet banking.

Ford’s push towards shared mobility began as a pilot project for Ford employees in March last year. That initiative soon gained traction and expanded to other companies. As per Ford, over 2 lakh rides have been completed since then.

In a signed Statement of Intent (SOI) with the Pune Smart City Development Corporation, Ford has also proposed to set up an integrated transport operating system. Once approved, the proposed system will not only offer users an easier journey planning and ticketing experience but also provide commuter and operator analytics as well as establish a Mobility Innovation Hub in Pune.