The review is only about Ola-Autos and should only be read if you are one of the regulars harassed by the attitude of auto drivers in times of need…and otherwise!
Acknowledgements:
Motorola Second Generation Phone
Vodafone Network
Digital India Campaign
Delhi Metro
I have been an ardent fan of Delhi Metro and one of the early promoters of the network. I still believe it has changed the way Delhi travels…but it has also bloated Delhi…and it now gives me a reason to not travel by metro, by default. One day, a supposedly casual walk down the road leads to ligament tear and 3 weeks of compulsory rest. Commitment(!) and lack of alternate entertainment platforms convinces my doctor that office travel is permissible but with minimum movement. Metro is too taxing…cabs too expensive…no boyfriends to order around…drivers difficult to track…and auto drivers too defiant to convince…All the drama ends when my mom gives me a card which says “ Book Ola Autos”!
Day 1
Opened the app to locate auto…3 minutes it said…click…location…enter…driver details pop up! Is it that simple? Has to be catch somewhere?!.It doesn’t say any extra charges…there has to some hidden costs which I accidentally didn’t notice or did the usual ‘tick” options…Scanning the application I see the details…Rs 10 extra on meter reading…that sounds reasonable…looks all ok so far. Driver calls and. he is in vicinity and arrives in less than 5 minutes. All good so far…! I keep thinking…has to be something more to it…will he won’t he…he might take longer route…he might say gas finished and dump me on the most nonsensical stretch…will be now start cribbing that traffic is horrible and he won’t get a passenger from that place…nothing happened. I get down pay the money with Rs 10 extra; he smiles and leaves.
Day 2
Same
Day 3
Same
Day X
Anything good nowadays needs to be probed…justified and critiqued. I today took the opportunity of finding out what is the rationale behind providing a service which is seemingly inexpensive so far. The driver explains that the company gives them a phone(free earlier now INR 500 chargeable) which tracks their routes. Any auto in vicinity receives the request and whoever hits the button first gets the booking. They receive the SMS detailing the passenger name, address location and destination. Most bookings are morning and evening and they are free to take independent bookings…preferably in lunch hours. For every 3 bookings, they get X amount in their bank…6 bookings Y amount. For 2 bookings they cancel due to any reasons(insufficient gas, puncture tyre, multi booking etc), some money is deducted. The system therefore works for both auto drivers who invariably like over charging and therefore get suitably compensated through bookings.; benefits people like us who have a phone, internet, app downloaded and likes to travel hassle free.
Post every journey, you can rate the driver and put comments. Overall, a very convenient and affordable travel service which will surely grow in metros. So like everything nowadays, I am compelled to list down the hits and misses.
Hits
Affordable and convenient
Works most times
Drivers have been sensible, know the routes do not spit- contributing to Swachha Bharat!
I have inadvertently become a power user of this app – increased popularity might lead to my appearance in the coveted ‘Page 3’ soon!
Misses
Vodafone has lost his pug…and the connection in most places…the app works only if the connection works!
Metro has lost one sincere fan
Increased travel allowances(!)
I still have to find the elusive “catch” in the app…and then gloat…of course there are no free lunches…! But till then, bolo Ola!?
Apologies for a rustic write-up…seems ages I have written anything so formal(!)…the site looks quite different now and may be writers(?) like us will keep a safe distance…till we get ‘informative’ and not digress…