In Bengaluru, Rapido has launched a new feature that allows customers to reserve non-air-conditioned taxis at reduced rates.
The Rapido app’s Cab Non AC option is currently in beta testing.
The Rapido app now allows users to select between “Cab AC” and “Cab Non AC” when booking a cab.
Rapido’s New Feature: Non AC Cabs At Reduced Rates
At the time of publication, Rapido did not reply to inquiries about the new feature’s launch.
This feature appears to be intended to address the common grievance on social media against Ola, Uber, and Rapido: drivers who refuse to turn on the air conditioner.
In an effort to draw attention to their financial difficulties brought on by declining per-kilometer fares, Ola, Uber, and Rapido taxi drivers affiliated with the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union started the “No-AC” campaign in Hyderabad last month.
It should be mentioned that Namma Yatri already offers a taxi rental service without air conditioning.
In 2015, Rishikesh SR, Pavan Guntupalli, and Aravind Sanka founded Rapido, which started out as a platform for autorickshaws and bike taxis.
In December 2023, Rapido ventured into the taxi booking market.
Rapido has been improving the user experience lately by introducing new features and services.
Rapido’s Pink Bike Service Feature
According to a February report, Rapido was thinking about introducing an all-female “Pink” bike service in Karnataka by the end of 2025.
Rapido said earlier this year that it would increase its current presence in 120 cities in India to 500.
Furthermore, it was reported that Rapido was looking into the food delivery industry in an effort to boost its earnings and compete with Zomato and Swiggy.
Rapido was also looking to raise INR 250 Cr (roughly $28.9 Mn) from Prosus as part of its expansion plan.
In March 2025, the ten-year-old startup overtook Ola and Uber in terms of app downloads.
In contrast to Ola and Uber, which each had fewer than 500K monthly downloads, Rapido’s driver app averaged over 720K downloads per month.
In March 2025, 7.3 million copies of its user app were downloaded.
On the financial front, Rapido cut its loss by more than 45%, from INR 675 Cr to INR 370 Cr in FY24.
From INR 443 Cr in FY23 to INR 648.1 Cr in FY24, Rapido’s operating revenue increased 1.5 times.
