New Delhi: Ola (formerly known as Ola Cabs) has launched its ‘call an auto' service in Bengaluru and Pune. The service will soon begin operations in Delhi-NCR.
The service is offered through an Ola app (currently in beta) for Android and iOS.
Speaking to India TV, a spokesperson of Ola said the booking can be made through this app by looking for the availability of an auto-rickshaw in their vicinity. The charges can be paid directly to the auto rickshaw drivers. The company also said that customers will be charged Rs 10 as convenience fee apart from the metre fare.
The autos under the Ola's pilot service are limited and are equipped with Huawei phones to track bookings.
Notably, the company said if there is a cab close to your location, the auto-rickshaw driver registered with the company is free to accept or reject your call for booking.
“After you confirm your booking through this app, a call will be made to the auto-rickshaw driver close to you and he will be asked if he is willing to take the booking for your destination. Once the driver confirms it, the company sends the details of the auto along with an estimated time of arrival,” said an Ola official.
The auto-rickshaws available through the Ola auto app are the regular ones fitted with global positioning system (GPS) device.
Ola and other app-based taxi services have recently come under pressure following a ban imposed by the Delhi High Court after one of its drivers was arrested for allegedly raping a woman passenger. However, the transport department has come out with a modified radio taxi scheme. However, most of the aggregator-based taxi services claimed the modified scheme doesn't apply to them as they are not radio taxi providers.
