Online cab booking service Olacabs now allows its mobile app users in Mumbai to book the ubiquitous Kaali-Peeli taxis in Mumbai. The company said that over 2000 such cabs have been registered on the Ola platform so far and the service is currently restricted to South Mumbai. The registered Kaali-Peeli drivers are equipped with a smartphone that enables them to accept booking requests and navigate to the customer’s doorstep. It’s worth noting that the Ola app only allows commuters to book the cab, and the fare has to be settled with the cab driver. The company said it plans to extend this service to the entire city over the next 12 months and claimed that over 20,000 Kaali-Peeli taxis will be brought on the mobile platform by end of this year. How it works: Each registered Kaali-Peeli cab driver has been provided a mobile device similar to a regular Ola cab. Users can see all cabs (Kaali-Peelis and Ola cabs) near his/her location and select one. Once the user enters the drop location and confirms the request, drivers in the area are alerted through their devices. Once a driver accepts the booking request, the user receives a message with all relevant ride details. The driver receives navigational info to reach the user. Users can also track the cab till it reaches or share ride details with others. Our Take The main pain point with traditional cabs in Mumbai is availability during peak hours: customers are often left waiting for hours…
