(from left) Adhilakshmi, Bhuvaneshwari and Jayanthi are employed with ‘Auto Ranis’, a call auto service. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam (Photo Credit: The Hindu)

Gwalior:(IANS) Veerangana Express, an autorickshaw service by women for women has been launched by Tata Motors and Laxmibai Mahila Nagari Sahakari bank, it was announced here on Saturday.

“We are delighted to associate with Veerangana Express, a unique customer-focused service aimed at supporting women commuters by women operators with one of our best solutions in last mile public transport, the Tata Magic IRIS,” said K. Sanjeeva Rao regional sales manager, commercial vehicles, Tata Motors.

The service, which will ply within Gwalior’s municipal limits, is funded by Laxmibai Mahila Nagari Sahakari bank and supported by the district collector and transport department, he added.

“We are glad that all government authorities and Tata Motors through its channel partner are supporting this initiative. We hope the Veerangana pink cabs, which is for the women, by the women, will further encourage women, without having to worry about their commuting woes,” said Alka Srivastsava, founder, Laxmibai Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank.

Initially, eight pink and white diesel-powered Tata Magic IRIS autorickshaws will be pressed into service whose drivers will be trained by Tata Motors dealer SGS Motors.

Tata Motors has collaborated with another customer in Bhopal to run a similar service called Shakti Express with 10 Tata Magic IRIS vehicles and discussing with Indore authorities to launch similar Ahilya Express Service.