Two more cab aggregators to vie for space in city

Cab riders in the city will be spoilt for choices as two more companies are set to join the list of cab aggregators in a month.

Cab drivers disgruntled with Ola and Uber staged a series of protests in January and February and a union led by JD(S) worker Tanveer Pasha was formed. However, differences emerged and some members led by Kiran Gowda of Karunada Rajya Taxi Drivers and Owners Association came out. Both started working on their own apps.

Joe Mathews, who earlier worked as senior director of Pan India operations for Ola, vice president of Meru, heads Hi Cabs, which has been launched last month without much fanfare. The app already has 2,000 drivers and 2,500 users.

“We are not here to compete with others who work on a profit-oriented platform. We want to make sure that drivers will have a future without depending on anyone else. The fare is constant always regardless of peak hours. We are not in a hurry to grow. We are confident of attracting funding after showing a traction in market,” Mathews said.

Meanwhile, preparations are on for the launch of another app-based cab aggregator backed by former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. “We want to provide a service which caters to customers while primarily focussing on drivers welfare,” said Tanveer Pasha.

Pasha said Savetur Digital Pvt Ltd, which runs TYGR cabs in Kolkata, will run the upcoming company which may be named HDK Cabs. “We plan to launch it by July end and the final call will be taken by Kumaraswamy,” he said.

“Drivers pay 30% of their earnings, including tax, to Ola and Uber. We will limit it to 10%. There are plans to provide various benefits to drivers,” he said.

The benefits include Rs 5 lakh life insurance, Rs 5 lakh accident insurance, 2 lakh medical insurance. Besides the drivers will get free oil service for their cabs after every 8,000 km (Rs 4,500), vehicle insurance (Rs 25,000) and yearly road tax (Rs 2,000).

Both companies promise transparent fare system without surcharges or hidden costs. “We have set Rs 12.50 per km for hatchbacks and Rs 14.50 for sedans. We will provide free water bottle, free wifi, two free rides every year,” Pasha said.

He said all cabs will have CCTV cameras and five patrolling cars will monitor any complaints from riders or drivers.