Recently we had been to Kerala for a temple trip. We were travelling from Chennai. As train tickets to Kerala were just not available we decided to go to Coimbatore(which was a day journey and tickets were easily available) and travel by taxi from there to various temples in Kerala and come back to Coimbatore from where we can take a train to Chennai.
I made the terrible mistake of booking a taxi through easemytrip. The confirmation said that if I use the taxi for more than 1200 kms, I will have to pay Rs.13 per km for the excess. Our total requirement for visiting the various temples was only around 800 kms. So I was very happy with the arrangement. Our plan was to first visit some temples in and around Trichur, then shift base to Ernakulam. We would then visit temples near Aluva, Alleppey, Kottayam etc. and then return to Coimbatore.
The taxi for sure arrived on time. And we started our trip in right earnest. We were planning to travel to Trichur and break for the night. Enroute I was discussing with the family that the next day evening we would reach Ernakulam. The day after that we would visit some temples near Kottayam. In the evening we would visit some temples near Alleppey etc. The taxi driver told us that as our destination is Ernakulam we could only use the taxi to go around Ernakulam and then for returning to Coimbatore! Now how do we use up the allowed 1200 kms in going around Ernakulam! He said that the taxi is through Savaari.com.and we could check with their customer service. Easemytrip essentially out sources the taxi bookings to Savaari.com. We contacted the call centre of easemytrip and were told that we have to contact Savaari.com. Savaari.com.confirmed that the taxi can be used only in and around Ernakulam, the destination and not for outstation trips like going to Kottayam etc.! If you book directly through Savaari.com.it asks you list out all places you want to visit and then you can go to Kottayam etc. If you book through easemytrip this option is not offered to you. You are only asked for starting point and destination. Back to easemytrip call centre. We asked them to ask the taxi driver to drop us in Ernakulam and go back and charge us only for that. They made a big show of checking with higher-ups and finally told us that the booking cannot be cancelled partially. Even if the taxi driver drops us at Ernakulam and returns, we still have to cough up the entire money for the three day trip. They had no answer as to how we are supposed to use the taxi for 1200 kms if we cannot take it outside Ernakulam!
Finally the taxi driver suggested that we pay him Rs 2000 extra and he will take us to all our temples. Finally settled for that as that seemed to be the best option.
GUYS. NEVER USE EASEMYTRIP FOR TAXI BOOKING. THEY REALLY TAKE YOU FOR A RIDE AND DON’T EASE YOUR TRIP.