CHENNAI: Discounts on tariffs seem to have become too mundane for the warring giants of the cab industry. The battle to woo Chennai's customers has now veered to uncharted territory.
Ola and Uber both announced new offers on Friday. The one has promised free drinks in a few Chennai pubs and the other a chance to watch the latest Terminator movie. All you have to do is take their cabs.
Most opening the Ola mobile app for a cab on Friday found a psychedelic pop-up on their screen - "OLA NIGHTS! Free Drinks at your favourite bars. #ChaloNiklo". The 'Know More' button listed three pubs in Chennai city where taking an Ola would get customers free drinks. All you had to do was flash your ride invoice to the bartender. US101 in T Nagar, Slounge at Lemon Tree Hotel in Guindy and Savera's BAY146 have all joined hands with Ola to provide free drinks - through a 'buy one get one free' from July 3 to July 12.
This isn't the first time Ola has targeted the wilder Chennai crowd. Last New Year's Eve, Ola asked people not to drink and drive. For the drive, take an Ola. "This New Year, take the pledge to never Drink and Drive. Party all night and call Olacabs. #IPledgeToNeverDrinkAndDrive #PartyWithOlacabs" tweeted the cab company.
Ola's rival Uber seems to have taken another path. On the same day that Ola announced free drinks, Uber made what was a much better offer - at least to any Arnold Schwarzenegger fan.
The cab company is offering its customers an opportunity to watch Terminator Genisys at Escape Cinemas on July 4.
"Open the Uber app anytime between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm Saturday, July 4 and slide over to the SPIUBER option. For `450, you and your friend will get chauffeured to Frame at Escape, Express Avenue to watch Terminator Genisys. Show your SPIUBER trip receipt at the entrance," said Uber.
The strategy, of both Ola and Uber, seems to be working - if getting the attention of the younger crowd is the objective, according to persons that Express spoke to.
"We are planning to try the Uber offer, and if we don't get lucky enough to land the tickets, we would to take an Ola to one of the three pubs," said Shruti and Rakhi.