Kochi: With app-based call-taxis much in demand among Kochiites, the corporate cab aggregators Uber and Ola are competing to wrest control of the booming market. The Bangalore-based Ola is set to introduce “Micro” cabs in the city offering cheapest fares.
“We’ve launched the Micro cabs in Coimbatore and out next stop is Kochi. We’ll start deploying the fleet in a month’s time,” a spokesperson said. The taxis can be hired at Rs 6 per km, bettering the Rs 7 per km so far provided by Uber. The Micro class of vehicles includes compact cars such as the Hyundai Eon, DatsunGo and Wagon R.
Launched with just 100 cars in early 2015, Ola has expanded its fleet size to over 2,500. The company claims to be the largest on-demand mobility app in Kochi with users in the city getting an Ola cab in less than six minutes of booking on the app.
“While Ola continues to gain more acceptances from customers, we’ll continue to focus on building much needed innovative mobility solutions in Kochi and other parts of Kerala in the time to come,” Pranay Jivrajka, chief operating officer at Ola, said.
The Uber too enjoys a good share of the market with an equal fleet strength, posing a serious threat to traditional taxi and auto drivers who were forced to come out with a technology-aided service “Kerala Taxi” with the backing of CPM.
“Unlike the corporate cab providers, our forte is taxi services to outside city areas. But we’re planning to increase our city customer base. One measure is to reduce the minimum fare and also a cut in the per km rate. The decision will be taken at a committee meet to be held later this month,” said D. Manikuttan, secretary, Ernakulam District Car Drivers’ Welfare Society. Currently, the Kerala Taxi is charging the government-fixed rate of '10 per km and a minimum charge of '150.
