Kochi: Nearly three weeks after its entry into the market, ‘Kerala Taxi’, the CPM-backed online and app-based taxi hiring service, has decided to slash fares to take on the rival corporate cab providers.
The call-taxi portal www.keralataxi.com, involving traditional taxi drivers, at present charges government-fixed rate of Rs 10 per km and a minimum charge of Rs 150. This is much higher than Rs 7 per km charged by Uber and Rs 49 per 6 km charged by Ola.
“The response (among traditional drivers) has been encouraging. Launched with a network of 100 taxi drivers, the number has gone over 300. To make it attractive among customers, we have decided to cut the per km fare by Rs 2 to Rs 3 for city services,” said P. Rajeev, CPM Ernakulam district secretary and former MP who is the brain behind the initiative.
The services are currently being operated by the Vytilla-based Taxi Drivers Welfare Society and if found successful, it would be extended to other parts of the state, he said.
The ordinary taxi and auto service providers, irrespective of party and union affiliation, would be made part of the network if they have valid permits. “The party helps them get bank loans to purchase cars and other infrastructure. Also the drivers are being given training in aspects like communication and behaviour,” Mr Rajeev said.
The online cab services have already proved a hit with Kochiites with the corporate cab providers recording attractive growth in the last one year. Ola has scaled up from around 100 cabs to over 2,500 cabs to become the largest on demand mobility app in Kochi.
