- Hoping against hope, the global community was anticipating some definite thaw in the ongoing conflict in West Asia/the Middle East, ushering in much-needed stability to the massive volatility witnessed around the world. Unfortunately, the feeble attempts at peace initiatives by the direct protagonists, hell-bent on not yielding an inch to tide over the ever-expanding crisis, have only meant further uncertainty all around. The worsening economic downturn has forced every country to implement appropriate measures to prevent debilitating effects on growth prospects. While financial experts and aficionados brainstorm ways to introduce worthwhile measures, why not, as responsible citizens, chip in to help the cause? Let’s explore how to go about this.
PC: India Today
- As we know, one of the major challenges afflicting any urban dwellings across the world is the erratic weather vagaries brought upon us by the unabated environmental degradation over the last few decades. The modernity-driven innovations do not come without extracting sizeable environmental destruction. We are encountering the consequences of the careless exploitation of the increasingly fragile natural habitats. Why not contribute to the cause by embracing carpooling as a sensible measure? It’s cheaper, greener, and we get the comfort of a car ride without buying one. Yet, it’s simply not taken off in our metros. Yes, intercity ridesharing is picking up, but too slowly, given the pace required, both for the environment and to tide over the West Asia crisis.
PC: Zee Business
- After PM’s nudge encouraging carpooling, it’s as good a time as any to push for ridesharing. There are two aspects, though. While carpooling typically means colleagues or peers sharing a car, rideshares extend to sharing cab services. Till the pandemic, in several developed countries, ridesharing was common for young adults, inclined to be more conscious about emissions, the environment, and spending. France is Europe’s carpooling leader. Popular in Spain, the young are all for carpooling for all commutes. Ditto for Germany and the Netherlands. Traffic congestion in Brussels pushed the local government to organize carpool lanes and ridesharing programmes. It’s been about five years since the Central issued guidelines for ride-pooling aggregators.
PC: Aaj Tak Bangla
- Worryingly, barring Maharashtra, ridesharing remains a gray area across states. Governments, especially in a city-state like Delhi, must follow through to ensure the PM’s message is scaffolded by a rules-based framework. That apart, a shift in commuter attitudes is essential. Across or metros, private cars are typically used to drive to work, with an average occupancy of 1.5 people – grossly inefficient. What we need is the availability of reliable ride-shares that operate smoothly, safely, and legally. Also, we are largely class-conscious, pretentious, and unwilling to accommodate the unknown strangers simply because of the prevailing security/safety lacunas. Technology and improved law enforcement should help. It’s up to the states to make this ride happen. Simple.
