Ola’s bike taxi service starts trial run in city
Gurgaon: Ola, the app-based cab aggregator, has started a trial run of its bike taxi service in Gurgaon, close on the heels of UberMOTO’s launch in the city. The trials started about two weeks ago, and on Sunday, Ola sent out mails to its customers offering free rides on Ola bikes till April 30.
In a statement, Ola said, “As part of the pilot launch of Ola Bike in Gurgaon, we have made the service available to select customers in limited areas across the city. The launch of this pilot is in accordance with the law of our land and fulfils regulatory requirements like usage of commercially registered vehicles and requisite commercial insurance for the driver and pillion rider. Post the pilot, we will evaluate the extension of this initiative to the entire city, after requisite consultation with the authorities.”
Sources said Ola will launch with yellow number plates and that the company is already running a fleet of 50-70 bikes in certain areas in the city.
A resident who availed the Ola service on Sunday said Rs 20 is the base fare, with Rs 4 every kilometre and Re 1 per minute. “I took an Ola bike this morning from Huda City Centre to Udyog Vihar Phase IV,” said Vibhuti Chaudhary, who stays in Sector 45.
From a city with only autos as the last-mile transport option, Gurgaon has become a crowded market for bike taxis with as many as seven companies startting services in the city over the past year.
