Uber, Ola launch carpooling in Delhi

S Ronendra Singh Updated - January 22, 2018 at 01:03 PM.

City set to try even-odd number scheme from Jan 1

A GrabTaxi touches on his smartphone to check the bill for a customer in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 9, 2015. A young, tech-savvy population short on cars but big on smartphones is driving double-digit growth for ride-hailing apps Uber and GrabTaxi in Vietnam, and inspiring some executives to dream of replacing private car ownership altogether. Ride-sharing apps have taken off among Vietnam's rapidly expanding middle class as they provide four-wheeled comfort in a country better known for chaotic swarms of scooters and Southeast Asia's most expensive taxi fares. Picture taken September 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kham

As the capital of the country prepares for running even-odd numbered private vehicles from January 1, taxi aggregators Ola and Uber have announced car pooling options in their apps in Delhi-NCR.

Ola on Tuesday launched ‘Ola Share’ – a social ride-sharing offering in Delhi-NCR to allow citizens who travel on the same routes to share their rides with users from social groups they are part of. It was first launched in October in Bengaluru and received good response from customers and driver partners in the city, it said.

CNG vehicles

Keeping in mind the Delhi government’s rule, the company said, it would make an economical fare and face lesser congestion, since a ride can now be shared by up to three people at any point in time. The company also said only CNG vehicles will be used for Ola Share bookings within Delhi.

“Customers in Delhi-NCR stand to benefit from a flat 50 per cent discount on Ola Share fares over the coming month, as the State buckles up for a first of its kind experiment to curb road congestion and pollution,” the company said.

‘Ola Share’ will appear on the Ola app as a separate category, the company said, adding that on sharing the drop location, the Ola app uses advanced algorithms to match users from common social groups, looking for a cab on the same route.

All of Ola’s safety features including Track your Ride, Share Ride Details, SOS, Emergency Contacts, 24x7 Customer Support and In-trip feedback are available on Ola Share as well, the company said.

“At a time when the citizens and the government are taking a massive step to reduce on-road congestion, Ola Share will help citizens travel in the comfort of social groups they are part of, with convenient access from the Ola app,” Ishan Gupta, Head - Ola Share, said.

Uber offer Uber also had announced to launch ‘carpool’ service in Delhi from Wednesday for people going to the same place at the same time.

“By making it easier and more convenient for people going in the same direction at the same time to share the journey, we can help cut congestion and pollution. It is a model that has worked in other cities,” Gagan Bhatia, North region head, Uber India said in a blogpost.

“By turning uberGO into a carpooling first product – which makes it easy and convenient for people, especially commuters, to share their journey – we can help improve everyone’s quality of life,” he added.

Published on December 15, 2015 12:45