In a move to strengthen last-mile connectivity for metro commuters, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bharat Taxi to roll out Integrated Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) services across selected stations. The initiative is aligned with the vision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to improve first- and last-mile access to public transport systems.The agreement has been signed with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative, a multi-State cooperative that operates the “Bharat Taxi” mobility platform. Under the partnership, commuters will be offered organised and technology-enabled last-mile travel options from metro stations, including bike taxis, auto-rickshaws and cabs.According to a senior DMRC official, the collaboration aims to provide affordable, reliable and safe last-mile transport, giving passengers multiple choices based on distance, time, cost and convenience. The initiative is also expected to reduce reliance on unorganised and informal modes of transport around metro stations.In the initial phase, Sahkar Taxi will operate services from 10 identified metro stations using a marketplace or aggregator model. As part of the pilot programme, dedicated bike taxi services will be deployed at two stations—Millennium City Centre and Botanical Garden—by January 31, 2026. The pilot phase will be used to assess commuter response, operational feasibility and overall service effectiveness before scaling up the initiative.To ensure a seamless travel experience, the Bharat Taxi mobile application will be integrated with DMRC’s Sarthi app. This will allow commuters to plan, book and access metro and last-mile services through a single digital platform.Fare levels under the programme will remain competitive with prevailing market rates. While peak-hour pricing may be applied based on demand, fare surges will be capped to maintain affordability and protect passenger interests.DMRC has previously experimented with feeder buses and bike taxi services to address last-mile challenges, but these initiatives saw limited success. The new partnership is expected to offer a more flexible and commuter-friendly solution through digital integration and multiple mobility options.News source: The Hindu