Pune Metro is extending its rail line through partnerships. The latest partner to sign up is Cybage, a global IT services provider with headquarters in Pune.
Cybage has fully embraced its “bringing life to work” motto, literally and physically, with this announcement. Pune Metro has used the fund to assist Cybagians with their commute to work through the East-West corridor. The Pune Metro-line-2 route was recently extended, by 5.5 km, extending it to 15.7 kilometres. The extension became operational on March 6th.
The extension included stations from Ruby Clinic to Ramwadi and opened up the commute for more Cybagians. In order to further reduce the carbon footprint of employee commutes, Cybage has also set up a shuttle transfer service for the last mile of their journey, ensuring they arrive at their office safely. The shuttle service provides the last-mile connectivity, reducing stress and fatigue. It could also foster better relationships within the firm as regular commuters should start to recognise and converse with fellow Cybagians.
CSR and especially environmental benefits
The new extension will also benefit thousands of commuters who will no longer need to use their vehicles to drive to work. Already Cybage has seen a reduction in the number of cars used by its employees and also in the wider community.
Cybage believes that this will reduce the Scope 3 carbon emissions. Under the GHG Protocols, employee commuting is classified under category 7. With fewer employee car journeys, even with the addition of a shuttle bus, this should make a significant difference as more people start to use the service. Cybage is also planning on expanding the service in the future.
In turn, this should help reduce the Air Quality Index for Pune, currently standing over 106, and ranked poor by AQI. If Pune Metro can encourage further partnerships, extending both lines and the shuttle services, traffic in the city will decrease, lowering congestion at busy times and cutting emissions.
The initiative demonstrates a level of environmental responsibility by the company that has extended beyond the doors of its offices, delivering benefits to the wider population. According to the Hindustani Times, the Pune Metro received around ₹ 50-55 lakh (about US$60,000) for one-year sponsorship, with several stations receiving sponsorships.
Arun Nathani, CEO & MD Cybage, commented, “At Cybage, we believe that our success is intricately linked to the well-being of our employees. This partnership with Pune Metro exemplifies our commitment to employee safety and prioritizing sustainability. We hope to set a new benchmark for responsible business practices within the Pune IT industry.”
Enterprise Times: What does this mean
Pune Metro is hoping to attract more sponsorships from IT Tech firms and others. It recently unveiled a strategic plan for boosting revenues by making advertising hoardings available within stations on the network. It is also looking to encourage investment in services along the metro lines with joint ventures and other sponsorship opportunities.
Cybage has shown the way, and it hopes that other firms will also see the benefits of assisting the wider community with shuttle buses and sponsorships. The benefits for organisations are clearer now than they were in 2018 when Air pollution was not such a hot topic, and Pune Metro failed to find sponsors. With Scope 3 emissions a key factor for achieving India’s net zero target by 2070, enterprises must look to help.
Carbon reporting is impacting multinationals already, and many others will face the same challenges. Reducing emissions from employee commute journeys is an important part of this and Cybage is showing the way. The question is, will others follow, and will the commuters themselves continue to use the public transport, especially during the wetter weather between June and October?
