The Pink City Rickshaw Company - a remarkable social enterprise based in Jaipur, India
What Makes It Special
The Pink City Rickshaw Company is famously known as "The Pink City" due to the distinctive pink color of its historic buildings.
This innovative initiative is much more than just a tourist transportation service. It's a groundbreaking model that combines:
Women's empowerment: The company provides aspirational employment opportunities to women from low-income households in Jaipur
Ownership model: These women aren't just employees - they're equity holders who proudly own and manage the company
Eco-friendly transportation: They operate custom-designed electric rickshaws that help reduce pollution in the city
Cultural immersion: Tours offer authentic experiences of Jaipur's walled city beyond typical tourist attractions
How It Works
Founded around 2017 by ACCESS Development Services (a non-profit organization), the Pink City Rickshaw Company has created a sustainable livelihood model where:
Women from disadvantaged backgrounds are trained to drive electric rickshaws
They become shareholders in the company they help operate
They lead well-planned tours of Jaipur's important tourist attractions
They provide visitors with unique insights into local culture and heritage
Tour Experiences
The company offers several distinctive tour options including:
The Pink City Heritage Tour: Exploring Jaipur's historic landmarks
Shop and Hop: A shopping-focused cultural experience
The Culture Gully: Immersive cultural encounters
Wake up with Jaipur: Morning experiences of the city
As described on their website, these tours allow visitors to "experience the medieval mystique of the walled city" while "soaking in the local culture and giving you an experience like none other."
Impact and Recognition
The initiative has gained significant recognition:
Featured by Planeterra (a tourism for development organization) as part of their network
Praised on TripAdvisor with a 4.7/5 rating from 63 reviews
Highlighted for its dual impact of empowering women while promoting eco-friendly tourism
Reported to generate approximately $2 million in revenue
One TripAdvisor reviewer noted: "While my experience was not 5 stars, I am rating it that way because these women need support. They cannot break through this glass ceiling without it."
The Pink City Rickshaw Company represents a powerful example of how tourism can be leveraged for social good - creating economic opportunities for marginalized women while offering visitors an authentic, eco-friendly way to experience one of India's most beautiful cities.
