Taxi union’s app to book kaali peelis a dud, say commuters

According to city commuter,  Mumbai taxi union’s cab aggregator app Aamchi Drive, launched 15 days a ago, doesn’t deliver what it promises — a taxi.

Neha Sinha, a banker who works at Bandra-Kurla Complex said her happiness after learning of an alternative to fares without hefty surcharges did not last long. “I barely find cabs on this app,” she said. Official reviews voice similar concerns. A reviewer wrote, “I tried booking (a cab) six times. It would show a one-minute waiting time, but I received no response after booking one. It’s either a bug or taxi drivers are not interested to ply as always.” Many have already deleted the app, DNA found.

AL Quadros, General Secretary, Mumbai Taximens Union, which developed the app with Mumbai Taximen Association, agreed that there were issues. “Of the 45,000 black and yellows, only 3,500 cabs have registered on the app. We are trying to examine why the response has been so poor. Meetings will be held in the coming weeks to convince more drivers to join the app,” he said.

He said lack of an incentive system, no option to refuse a fare, and the need for a 4G connection may be some of the reasons for the lukewarm response from drivers.