New tech cabs give Karnataka a lift

With prompt, smooth and safe drives, app-based cabs have changed the way people in the state travel as they are no more at the mercy of rude autorickshaw drivers Two weeks ago, when Prabhu Angadi's father collapsed due to a heart ailment, he was standing on the road hailing autos. But when none stopped, he booked a TaxiForSure cab, which arrived within 15 minutes and rushed his father to hospital. Almost every Bengalurean would have heard such poignant stories from friends, relatives, colleagues or neighbours as appbased cabs have changed life in the startup city. But this incident happened around 400 km away - in Hubballi. If that's the change in Hubballi, in the heritage city of Mysuru, people - not just young working professionals, but also middle-aged homemakers - are dumping the traditional autorickshaw for a cab. "It is safe to travel in cabs alone and at night because my family can track my journey sitting at home. I have taken cabs at odd hours," said Farzana Nasreen, 52, a homemaker from north Mysuru who stopped hiring autorickshaws to travel within the city three months ago. Within a span of just two years, app-based cabs have transformed the way tens of thousands of people in the cities of Karnataka travel. For, the vehicle picks or drops you at the doorstep, there's no fear of the driver overcharging and it comes with safety features. Which means, leaving the office late, going to the airport at odd hours, or drinking with friends, you can always reach home safe at the swipe of an app. Ask Ronita Sachdev.She has to travel across Bengaluru 3-4 times a week to meet clients, but doesn't worry about the commute anymore. "I hate to drive in the chaotic traffic and I'd be lucky to find an autorickshaw. Booking a cab from home or office and getting one within five minutes is a godsend," she told TOI. In the absence of a robust mass transit system in the city, Bengalureans, who were hitherto at the mercy of autorickshaw drivers, now prefer these app-based cabs -so what if the government has been tightening the screws on them? The frequent raids and inspections by the transport department on these companies are turning out to be a blessing in disguise for users: The more the aggregators come under the government scanner, the better they try to make their service. In fact, the number of aggregators and cabs is only swelling, and with that, the number of users. Even radio taxi services such as Meru have launched apps to make their services better. But that doesn't mean everything is hunky-dory, as there have been complaints against rude drivers or other such issues. In spite of the hiccups, people are moving towards app-based cabs as these services ensure they have one less thing to worry about. Angadi echoes this sentiment: "TaxiForSure saved my father's life that day. And we paid the minimum fare to reach the hospital -just Rs 51 for 4 km." Times View If you provide a needed service efficiently - in a notably inefficient market -you will never lack for customers or testimonials. And that is exactly what the cab aggregators are doing. How many times have stranded Bengalureans had to shell out double or triple fares for auto rickshaws during bad weather? Or good weather, for that matter. How many times have drivers turned down passengers if the destination was too close by, too far off, or in the wrong direction? Naturally, auto drivers and taxi service providers are upset - and instead of changing the way they operate, they would rather destroy the efficiency the aggregators bring to customers. -TOI