R. Veerakumar, a taxi driver for seven years, has signed up with Tamil Auto Taxi, a recently launched app in the city. “This app gives us a lot of freedom. There is no set target so I can decide when to work. I get around six rides daily through this app. We can also take regular rides that come to us not through the application. Since the app does not take any commission, everything that we earn goes into our pockets”, he says. The app is developed by Srivatsan R, Managing Partner of Adevnz, and has tied up with Fortune Service Society for the welfare of the auto/taxi drivers. “A part of the profit goes to this society. We have around 400 taxies, all driven by the owners themselves”, says Srivatsan.
FOR COIMBATORE 10/04/2018: Tamil auto taxi app by Adevnz is recently launched in Coimbatore. Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
With 745 downloads, it works in a radius of 20 km from the city. The customer can choose from autos, micro, minis, sedans and SUVs available. “This app was developed after one and a half years of work by a team of 12 developers. The prices are fixed and the app is easy to download from the Google play store,” he says.
What makes it different from the other apps? Tamil Auto Taxi app comes with a promise of no peak time pricing. Every vehicle will have a fixed base fare which includes the fare of the initial two km and an additional fare for every extra km travelled. “For auto, the base fare is ₹ 25. An amount of ₹12 will be added to it per km. Waiting fee is fixed at 65 paisa for a minute, while for mini vehicles the base fare is ₹50 and the additional charge is ₹14 per km.” Once the ride is confirmed, the customer will receive information of their driver including their name, photograph, contact number and vehicle number. Bookings can also be done over the phone or Whatsapp. In this case confirmation message about the ride will be send to the customer as a text message or a Whatsapp message. “To ensure safety, there is also a panic button in the cabs that is linked with the police control room.” There is also a customer care number to address any queries or complaints.
While the app only accepts cash now, e-wallets will be added soon, says Srivatsan. He also has plans to extend the service of this application throughout the state. “We will also add hotel booking facility to the app”, he says.
Info you can use
Contact 8220011222, 04224974747 for booking
Contact 7092522222 for customer care
Visit www.facebook.com/tamilnadumeterauto/ for more details
