Auto drivers and commuters in Bengaluru have a rather testy relationship, with the commuters accusing auto drivers of overcharging and not following meter rates, while drivers accuse commuters of not understanding the issues and hassles they face on a daily basis.
In an effort to provide an easy and safe commute option Solomon Prakash and Vishy Kuruganti set up mGaadi, an aggregator for rickshaw services in the city.
Solomon says, “We charge an additional Rs.10 as convenience charge. The autos working for mGaadi go by meter and do not overcharge. It is an attempt to make the daily commute comfortable. You can book an auto using our website and the nearest auto to your location will reach you. The services are currently open for commutes more than four kilometers.”
He adds, “With this venture, we also aim at improving customer and driver relationships. We tend to ignore people who render us a vital service, be it the people who sweep our streets, drive our vehicles etc. We are looking for ways to change that. A civil dialogue between the customer and the drivers will go a long way in making a commute by autos a comfortable and safe option.”
Safety of customers is high priority for the service.
Solomon says, “We carry out checks and also depend on customer feedback. We instruct our drivers to be well behaved at all times of the day. As with the Uber case, too much dependence on police records is not enough to ensure security.”
Initially, auto drivers and customers were apprehensive. Solomon says, “Like with any other start up, it took time for us to get more people keen on the venture. In a year we have seen business grow exponentially and hope that it continues.”
He adds, “Most issues start when the driver does not want to go to a particular destination. It could be due to a host of reasons. By using mGaadi, we aim at making it is a win-win proposition.
The driver is assured of a set number of trips, while the commuter gets the option of an efficient and safe ride. It has been a learning experience and we have enjoyed the ride so far.”
