Fazed but undeterred by the onslaught of app-based taxi services and its penetration eating into their market share, Mumbai-based taxi unions are coming up with their own app that will let people book black-and-yellow cabs by Diwali.
Fazed but undeterred by the onslaught of app-based taxi services and its penetration eating into their market share, Mumbai-based taxi unions are coming up with their own app that will let people book black-and-yellow cabs by Diwali.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the two biggest city-based unions -- Mumbai Taximens' Union and the Mumbai Taxi Association -- have signed a letter of intent wtih CWD Technology to make the app. A formal agreement may come later this week.
It was only last month that taxi unions in the city had gone on a strike against app-based taxi services, Uber, Ola and Taxi For Sure, among others. Taxi unions have been complaining that the rise of Ubers and Olas, and other app-based taxi services, has been eating into their business and market share.
However, these attempts to disrupt convenience for travellers has proved to be unsuccessful. In the aforementioned strike, and earlier ones, it was later noticed that taxi strikes by unions has only ended up working out in the favour of app-based taxi services like Uber and Ola, as customers opted to hire a taxi on the app, as against waiting for one.
ALSO READ: Taxi strike against app-based cab services works in latter's favour
Currently, Ola also lets its customers book black-and yellow taxis through its app, for immediate travel. Customers can enter their location, find taxis that are nearby, and book them accordingly.
According to the HT report, the firm will help develop the app with GPS service, set up a call centre, and train drivers. The app will also include safety features like a panic button. An official from CWD Technology told HT that the company will first roll out the Android app, and later introduce the Apple and Windows versions.
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