Raghunandan G and Aprameya Radhakrishna, who were frustrated with the incompetency of cab services in Bangalore, quit their jobs to start TaxiForSure in June 2011. These IIM-Ahmedabad graduates had to travel a lot due to their jobs — Apram eya headed the business development section for PDS at Jones Lang Lasalle and Raghunandan was a consultant at Feedback Ventures — and faced transportation problems every day. “We’ve known each other for 14 years. We were in NIT-Surathkal together. Then we went to IIM-A, one year apart from each other. Both of us were in jobs where we had to travel a lot and each cab ride was a hassle. That’s how TaxiForSure came to be. We were trying to solve our own problem,” says 33-year-old Aprameya.
TaxiForSure is a cab aggregator and works with various taxi services and enables them with technology to ensure that customers get a taxi easily. It aims to be the number one taxi player in the country making every possible taxi option available across India. “We want TaxiForSure to be the MakeMyTrip of taxis,” says Aprameya.
The Bangalore-based service is all set for expansion. The founders hope to launch their product in Delhi by month-end and hit Mumbai in March. “We also have plans to launch in Pune and Hyderabad. We will have our services all across India. It is only a matter of time,” says Raghunandan.
The founders have been working with 14 taxi operators like Mega cabs and Telcabs in Bangalore. They are also involved with various local operators. The duo’s main aim is to ensure customers don’t call two-three operators before finalizing a cab. “The problem with most cab services is the communication between the operator and customer. Most cabs are vacant and available but when a customer calls, he cannot get through to the call centre. We make sure that never happens and the customer gets a cab whenever he needs it,” says Raghunandan.
TaxiForSure not only caters to the every day need of a customer’s commute but they also provide for weekend getaways and multiple booking options. They have also started a premium cars venture where a customer can choose from a range of luxury cars like Hummer and Chrysler super stretch limousine to Rolls Royce and Jaguar. “We provide this service in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. But nobody in Bangalore really uses this service. But Delhi works differently. There people like big cars and want to make an impression,” says 32-year-old Raghunandan.
TaxiforSure has also created an app to make cab bookings simpler. “Most of our customers use a smartphone and so we thought of making it easier for them. All the customer has to do is click on the app and press on the ‘Book my taxi’ icon. They will be provided with the location of cabs available nearby to choose from. They don’t have to call the operators. The drivers will be provided with their location and can pick them up from wherever they are,” explains Raghunandan.
The founders have also reached out to local cab drivers and are working to uplift their living standards. They are not only providing them with work space but also training them with technological and communication skills. They also conduct health check ups for cab drivers. “We believe that if we keep drivers happy, it will lead to happy customers and we need that. This is a new venture and we need customers to be happy,” says Aprameya.
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