After getting to know about Olacabs through other blogs and friends I was waiting for an opportunity to try it out myself & today I had one such opportunity.  I installed their Android app, signed up & the screen looked like below:

It displayed all the Olacabs on the map, which one is the nearest one & how long it would take it to reach me. Without thinking much I clicked “Pick me up”. In few seconds screen reloaded with driver name, number, car type, car number with approximate time of pickup. This map was also updated in realtime so I knew exactly where my cab is and plan accordingly. Cab arrived as expected in 15 minutes and everything went smooth.

App Awareness: it knows everything!

Olacabs android app is very well made. It is always aware of current status and displays appropriate call to action buttons. For ex: Before booking the cab call to action was “Pick me up”, once I booked the cab it shows “Call Driver” and when I get into the cab it becomes “Call OLA” with a message “Have a nice journey”. Finally when I finished my journey, driver clicked on “Stop Trip” on the device (looked like an android powered phone, not sure) and next second app on my phone pops up with how much I need to pay & distance etc. At the same time I also got an SMS of the same information & and an invoice being mailed automatically to my email id (ideal if you want to produce these bills to your company for reimbursements).

Brilliant isn’t it?

Inside Scoop: Why does the cab always turn up?

Lot of people around me wouldn’t believe I get a cab by just clicking on a button on my phone. Some of my friends never got the cab they booked though phone with other service providers. So, what makes Olacabs special that every time the cab turns up?  We will need to know how it operates internally to understand this. As per my findings, cabs are on monthly contract with flat payment of 55k irrespective of amount of pickups they do. If a driver doesn’t turn up after a user clicks on that “Pick me up” button, he will be fined 2.5k INR by Olacabs.  Now we know why those drivers take it so seriously!

Overall as a customer this was an awesome experience and guess I am going to be their loyal customer henceforth.

Tariff card:

Minimum Rs.100 for 5KM and there after Rs.18 per kilometer.

Links:

Website: http://olacabs.com

Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.olacabs.customer