CHENNAI: Need a cab driver for a short period but have no idea how to do it? Just download an app and click a button, says DriveU. The four-month-old Bangalore-based start-up is an aggregator for drivers, which launched its services a week ago, in the city.
Rahm Shastry, CEO of DriveU, says the model on which the start-up operates is simple. Similar to the apps that help you book a taxi from Ola and Uber, the app helps you find a driver instead of a cab.
DriveU has a database of car drivers who are available on the app, and depending on the location and timing of a customer’s demand, a driver is assigned to take you around in your car for as long as you want.
“The USP of our model is that we are India’s first private driver service for personal automobiles. Our prices are completely standardised. We have seen remarkable traction in the four months we have been in Bangalore and also after the soft launch in Chennai. Now that we’ve launched our complete services here, we see promising demand,” said Shastry.
Booking a DriveU driver is simple. Download the app, select a time and location and an uniformed driver equipped with seat covers, floor mats and more arrives at your doorstep to drive you around the city.
“You don’t have to worry about driving your car or hailing a cab during peak hours and being charged peak-hour pricing either. As long as you have a vehicle, we’ll take you around,” said a company spokesperson.
DriveU, which has nearly 100 private drivers in Bengaluru and 20 in Chennai now, charges `99 for the first hour, which is also the minimum. “Consumers will be required to pay the fare only on a minute-basis after the first hour,” pointed out Shastry. A one-time surcharge of `50 during the daytime and `250 after 10pm is also charged.
If the hire period lasts more than four hours, discounts are offered. The target for the company is to rope in 40 drivers in Chennai by the next month and to have 1,000 drivers in 2016.