Ola launches shuttle bus services


Launched in May, the service offers app-based booking options for commuters in these air-conditioned buses.

IN WHAT could be a violation of rules under the City Taxi Permit Scheme 2017, app-based cab service Ola has launched shuttle bus services on 18 routes across the city. Launched in May, the service offers app-based booking options for commuters in these air-conditioned buses. The taxi permit scheme, launched in February this year, restricts the operations of app-based cab services, including Ola and Uber, to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). It regulates the permit costs of these cabs, fuel usage to CNG and curbs surge pricing.

According to details mentioned on Ola’s blog, commuters can book their seats in these shuttle buses in advance before the trip begins. Routes mentioned cover areas between Thane and Powai, Turbhe and Kharghar in the central suburbs and between Lower Parel to Borivali in the western suburbs. “Fixed hours have been allotted for trips of these services. At present, there is one trip per service that sees a passenger capacity between 6 and 20. Different payment options including electronic wallet to cash payments are allowed,” it says.

Different from cab service, the base fare of the shuttle service has been kept at less than Rs 4 per km. “The cost per seat for a service between Bhayander and Powai has been kept at Rs 59. For a journey between Bhayander and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), it costs Rs 75. Services are available between 7.30 in the morning till 7 pm for different routes”, according to details on the blog.
“I had taken the service in the evening between Worli and Western Express Highway two week back. I was very pleased as it was worth the cost that I paid. They offered a comfortable service,” said Mandar Gharat.

“The way in which the service has been planned hints at a system of stage carriage. As street hailing of commuters for group travelling is an exclusive right of state transport buses or of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), such shuttle services by Ola are not allowed. We will check if this violated regulations and will take action,” said a senior transport official.

Till Tuesday, none of the four Regional Transport Offices in Mumbai had received applications from Ola and Uber for getting registered under the city taxi permit scheme. Also, Uber has moved court over the rules, under which the government has asked the service providers to apply for licences.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Xiaomi Mi A1 is official with stock Android

Image
Xiaomi held an event in New Delhi to announce its latest dual-camera device. Called  Xiaomi Mi A1  its hardware is identical to the  Xiaomi Mi 5X . However A1 stands for Android One and the phone is powered by stock Android 7.1.2 Nougat.       The Mi A1 features a Snapdragon 625 chipset, built on the 14 nm process, coupled with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. The LCD measures 5.5” and sports Full HD resolution. At the back the phone has dual cameras, similar to the flagship  Mi 6  setup with a dual-tone LED flash. The fingerprint scanner is also there, but on the lower side, we see an “Android One” label, placing the phone in the portfolio of Google’s affordable devices for developing markets. Under the hood is a 3,080 mAh battery, charged through USB-C.         The stock Android means Xiaomi is launching the device without MIUI 9, but the Chinese manufacturer is keeping the MIUI camera app. The phone also arrives with promises that the OS will be updated to Oreo by the end of the y
Read more

Motorola teases Moto E4 Plus with 5,000mAh battery, likely to launch in India soon

Image
Motorola Moto E4 Plus is expected to be unveiled in India soon. Moto E4 Plus along with Moto E4 were launched globally earlier this month.  Motorola  Moto E4 Plus is expected to be unveiled in India soon. Moto E4 Plus along with Moto E4 were launched globally earlier this month. Moto India, from its official Twitter handle, posted a teaser that hints at a new smartphone with big battery that’s headed to India soon. Given the Moto E4 Plus packs a huge 5,000mAh battery, we believe the device in question is indeed E4 Plus. “A dead phone   is the modern-day shortest horror story. We will ensure you don’t feel #Powerless again. What’s coming next? #StayTuned,” Moto’s tweet reads. Motorola is hosting a #Powerless contest on Twitter as well, which gives 1 lucky winner a chance to win the upcoming smartphone. The contest requires users to tell Moto how their phone’s dead battery ‘haunts’ them. “Tell us how your phone’s dead battery haunted you! Chance to win a soon to be launched Moto sma
Read more

Jio Phone Bookings on August 24: How to Book the Mobile Online and Offline

Image
HIGHLIGHTS Jio Phone bookings online and offline start on August 24JioPhone delivery to start in SeptemberThe phone can be prebooked via MyJio app and offline Jio stores A little over a week from now, the Jio Phone will be out in the market for beta testing. However, the August 15  Jio Phone  beta trials will be for a limited set of people only, and most of the public will probably not be able to grab a unit for themselves on the first day of availability. Instead, most of us will have to wait till September to get our hands on a unit. Even then, the actual rush to pre-order the handset will begin on August 24, the date when Jio Phone bookings open. The pre-order process will be available both online and offline, so the rush to book the phone will be across the country. If you are curious about the registration process and all the details related to it, read on. Jio Phone booking online and offline For Jio Phone bookings online, you can check the MyJio app on August 24. Till then
Read more

Jio Phone Bookings Now Open: Documents You Need, Delivery Date, and More 

Image
Jio Phone bookings have started at certain offline Jio retail stores in Delhi-NCR area HIGHLIGHTS To book JioPhone, you need to submit a copy of your Aadhaar cardRs. 1,500 needs to be paid only at the time of picking up the handsetTentative delivery for those who book right now will be September 1-4 JioPhone bookings will officially open on August 24 (both offline and online), but certain offline retailers in the Delhi-NCR region have already started taking pre-orders for the handset. This means that you have the opportunity to make your JioPhone booking ahead of millions of people across the country, provided you have an offline retailer near you taking pre-orders right now. Gadgets 360 spoke to one such retailer to find out the offline booking process, the documents you need to get your hands on the phone, and tentative delivery dates, and other important details. Notably, the Rs. 1,500 refundable deposit only needs to be paid at the time of picking up the handset, so, you don&#
Read more

Reliance Jio Offering 224GB Data at Rs. 509: How it Works

Image
Users can get 224GB Reliance Jio data on buying a new Rs. 1,999 JioFi device and Rs. 509 recharge pack Reliance Jio consumers need to buy new JioFi router, new SIM cardOffer available on 4 recharge packs: Rs. 149, Rs. 309, Rs. 509, Rs. 999Users will also get free voice calls, SMSes, and Jio apps subscription Reliance Jio  for two straight quarters provided its data, calling and other services to customers for free under the  Welcome Offer  and  Happy New Year Offer . It finally started paid services in April, though the charges were nominal at less than Rs. 10 a day courtesy the  Jio Prime subscription service, but the company went a step further and gave users three months of free services with the  Jio Summer Surprise  offer. Those who did not sign up for Summer Surprise in time got a reprieve too in the form of  Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan Offer , which provides services for 84 days at recharges of Rs. 309 or higher. But with July here, these ultra-low cost services will finally come t
Read more

Now WhatsApp Group Admins Can Be Jailed for 2-3 years

Image
WhatsApp has become the most popular social networking app of the era. With smartphones in almost everyone's hands, the drastic fall in internet consumption charges and WhatsApp being a free app, people are creating number of groups on this popular social media and taking pleasure in being admins. Well, such fanatics need to think twice from here onwards as a new govt. order can land them in jail for three to five years.    Citing the misuse of social media to circulate fake news and fabricated stories that can trigger communal rift and also damage people's reputation, the govt. has come up with the order that both the member and the group admin will be sent to jail if found guilty of aforementioned acts. Even if the admin hasn't made such predatory post, he will have to bear responsibility for the acts being committed by group members. In a recent case, Karnataka police have arrested a WhatsApp group admin after a member of his group published a morphed p
Read more

Reliance Jio Launches JioGST App; Offers JioFi & 12 Month Data Free!

Image
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has launched JioGST, which is mobile first GST starter kit for small businesses in order to manage their GST related filings. Priced at Rs 1,999, this starter kit from  Jio contains software and hardware products worth Rs 10,884. Jio is a GSP or GST Suvidha Provider, and their newest launch is part of their initiatives to help small businesses. What Is Included Under JioGST Starter Kit? The starter kit, whose price is Rs 1,999 contains: a) App Based GST Solution Jio is providing an app-based GST solution platform, which can help the SMEs to file tax returns under GST. This is compatible with any billing software, and can instantly make SMEs GST ready. In fact, there is no requirement for any additional billing software or even a computer. The price of this software is Rs 1999, which is being offered within this starter pack. b) Jio Billing Application The starter kit will have Jio billing application, which can generate summary wise invoices fo
Read more