By The Hindu Bureau

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Ride-sharing platform Rapido has joined hands with the Telangana government to promote cultural tourism through an initiative called ‘Rapido Heritage Captains’. Under this initiative, selected Rapido drivers will be trained as knowledge ambassadors on Telangana’s heritage, history and culture.

The training programme, designed jointly with the Tourism department, will cover key heritage sites, cultural landmarks and historical narratives across the State. Structures sessions, led by experts, along with access to heritage institutions, will ensure that the captains (drivers) provide accurate and authentic information to riders, said a release.

“We are taking an innovative step to make the State’s heritage more accessible and engaging for visitors and locals alike, by leveraging micro-mobility and technology. Training Rapido captains as knowledge ambassadors will not only elevate the tourism experience but also create new opportunities for skill development and livelihood enhancement,” said Tourism Secretary Jayesh Ranjan.

The pilot phase will be launched in Hyderabad, with plans to expand to other heritage cities in Telangana. To make it easier for passengers to connect with trained captains, Rapido will introduce a dedicated ‘Heritage Captain’ badge on its app. The platform will also integrate geo-location features and notifications to suggest heritage circuits and cultural landmarks, enhancing the travel experience for both locals and visitors.