New Delhi:A new name is becoming increasingly popular in the field of cab-booking services in India. The government-backed Bharat Taxi app has caught the attention of users within a few days of its launch and a large number of people are joining it. This initiative, started with the support of the Ministry of Cooperation, is trying to create its own identity among private cab aggregators.
The growing popularity of Bharat Taxi was shared by the Ministry of Cooperation on its official social media platform. According to the ministry, the app has added more than four lakh registered users so far. The special thing is that in the last few days, about 40,000 to 45,000 new users are joining the app every day. This app is currently available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store and is slowly climbing up the rankings. The ministry has described it as an important step before the nationwide launch and has linked it to the vision of self-reliant India and prosperity through cooperation.
Bharat Taxi app launched by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is based on a cooperative model. Its aim is not only to give passengers a reliable option, but also to empower drivers. The app claims that all the drivers associated with it are police verified and special attention has been paid to transparency in the service.
In terms of user interface, Bharat Taxi looks quite simple and clean. Booking a taxi within the city is easy and the app includes not only ride booking but also additional options like metro ticket booking and cab rental for up to 12 hours. The login and profile setup process is very easy, requiring only mobile number, name and email.
Bharat Taxi has kept safety as one of its main priorities. The app has features like emergency call, sending alerts to saved contacts, contacting the security team and siren within the app. These features are similar to existing platforms like Uber and Ola. However, how effective these features will prove to be in actual conditions will become clear only after time and large-scale use.
While the concept of the app is commendable, some shortcomings have also come to light in initial use. According to some users, the fare appeared to be slightly higher than expected and the fact that the price appeared to be the same for AC and non-AC cabs indicates a technical glitch. The overall experience feels like the app is not fully mature yet.
The biggest claim of Bharat Taxi is regarding the drivers. Initially, a promise has been made not to take any kind of commission from the drivers, due to which the entire fare will be given directly to the driver. Although the commission model may be implemented in the future, the company says that its benefits will be returned to the drivers in some form or the other. Apart from this, there are also plans to introduce special pick-up and drop facilities at airports and major transit points.
The success of Bharat Taxi will depend on how it balances demand and supply, how competitive it keeps its prices and how well it lives up to its promises of safety. Its start is encouraging with rapidly increasing user numbers and government support. In the coming time, it will become clear whether this app will really be able to compete with private cab companies or whether it will remain a good but limited initiative.
