Taxi union app to launch in Navi Mumbai from today

After the app launched by taxi unions failed miserably, the unions have learnt from their mistake and are re-launching their call-in booking services, though this time from Navi Mumbai. The services will be active from October 4.

The failure behind the app is being attributed to the not-so-tech-savvy taxi drivers who lacked smart phones.

However, they decided to go for call-in bookings as the response to this was double than what was received in the app.

The app, in itself was created so that the black and yellow taxis could compete with competitors like Ola and Uber to whom they are losing out. But taxi drivers were not able to navigate the app, due to unfamiliarity with the technology and this was a result of factors like age and unavailability of smart phones.

Realising that the taxi drivers were it hard to adapt to technology and the call-in bookings were getting them more customers, the focus changed.

Malay Kothari of CWD private limited, the company that made the app, said, “We have asked the drivers to use the application more but in fact we get more callers on our number. Although we have asked the drivers who are not very tech-savvy to start using the application more we get at least 400 calls at our call centre. We guarantee that you will be picked up in a certain time and for sure.”

The number used is 02240029211. To increase the passenger base, passengers travelling from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai will be given a discount of 25 per cent from what is clocked on the metre and those travelling from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai can avail 10 per cent, said Mr Kothari.