Rent To Avoid Risk

To avoid the risk of coronavirus, people prefer to use car rental services over public transport

- Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

As offices reopen post-Unlock 3.0 and people revert to their old routine of office travel, concerns over safe commuting have taken centre stage. Though the Delhi government is plying buses following MHA SOPs, COVID-19-wary denizens are trying to avoid using public transport.

“I used to travel to my office in DTC’s AC buses, but I don’t take these now,” says Kalkaji resident Poonam Chugh. “I know hiring a cab will pinch a hole in my pocket but, at least, I will be alive,” she adds.

Chugh is not alone. Scores like her would rather rent a car than use public transport. Or even a Metro when it gets back on the tracks. Recent studies show that 70 per cent commuters are not likely to use public transport anytime soon. More and more people are in favour of car rental services.

There are two reasons for this. First, after every trip, the cab goes back to the garage where it is fully sanitised, cleaned and ventilated before it hits the road again. Second, car rental companies are careful about personal hygiene and safety of its driver-partners. Some, like Savaari Car Rental service, go a step ahead by advising customers to carry a bed sheet and place it on the seat before they sit.