Local cabbies launch app-based taxi service without surge pricing
Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com
Chennai:29.11.2019
Twenty-five drivers of app-based cab services have joined hands to launch their own service in Chennai in an attempt to overcome competition from corporate firms like Ola and Uber.
Within days of the launch, around 160 car and auto drivers have subscribed to ‘D-Taxi’ its founders say will have no surge pricing. It is run by a cooperative society registered with the state industrial department in May 2018. The society floated tenders to design a mobile app for customers and drivers’ use before the service was formally launched on Monday.
Any taxi driver-cum-owner can enrol with D-Taxi if they have a commercial licence and pay ₹100 as registration fee. There will be no commission withheld and drivers can take home whatever they earn. Yhey need to pay a fixed fee of ₹3,000 per month. “The key feature about our service is that there is no surge pricing during peak hours. Users can pay for only the distance they have travelled,” said G Balaji, president.
For autos, the base fare is ₹25 for the first 1.8km and ₹12 for every km travelled thereafter. Waiting charge is 30 paise per min. For hatchback (small) and sedan cars (executive), the base fare is ₹30 and ₹12.50-₹13 a km after that. Waiting charge is ₹1.50 per minute.
As far as XUVs are concerned, ₹150 will be the base fare and rate per km is ₹18-₹19.
Besides short trips, long distance and outstation trips too can be booked using the app available on Google Play Store. Rates vary from ₹9.50 to ₹13 depending on the car model for such trips which cover minimum of 250km.
Bookings can be done on the spot. Drivers will help users make bookings on their app and users can continue if they find the estimated fare satisfactory, said Balaji. “We are trying to set an example. It will be expanded to Coimbatore and Madurai soon,” he added.
WELCOME MOVE: Members of the group that launched the service
Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com
Chennai:29.11.2019
Twenty-five drivers of app-based cab services have joined hands to launch their own service in Chennai in an attempt to overcome competition from corporate firms like Ola and Uber.
Within days of the launch, around 160 car and auto drivers have subscribed to ‘D-Taxi’ its founders say will have no surge pricing. It is run by a cooperative society registered with the state industrial department in May 2018. The society floated tenders to design a mobile app for customers and drivers’ use before the service was formally launched on Monday.
Any taxi driver-cum-owner can enrol with D-Taxi if they have a commercial licence and pay ₹100 as registration fee. There will be no commission withheld and drivers can take home whatever they earn. Yhey need to pay a fixed fee of ₹3,000 per month. “The key feature about our service is that there is no surge pricing during peak hours. Users can pay for only the distance they have travelled,” said G Balaji, president.
For autos, the base fare is ₹25 for the first 1.8km and ₹12 for every km travelled thereafter. Waiting charge is 30 paise per min. For hatchback (small) and sedan cars (executive), the base fare is ₹30 and ₹12.50-₹13 a km after that. Waiting charge is ₹1.50 per minute.
As far as XUVs are concerned, ₹150 will be the base fare and rate per km is ₹18-₹19.
Besides short trips, long distance and outstation trips too can be booked using the app available on Google Play Store. Rates vary from ₹9.50 to ₹13 depending on the car model for such trips which cover minimum of 250km.
Bookings can be done on the spot. Drivers will help users make bookings on their app and users can continue if they find the estimated fare satisfactory, said Balaji. “We are trying to set an example. It will be expanded to Coimbatore and Madurai soon,” he added.
WELCOME MOVE: Members of the group that launched the service
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