Ola launches ride-sharing to back Delhi's car mandate

After Uber, cab-hailing app Ola will now offer ride sharing to passengers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), a move aimed at meeting the heavy demand expected once the state government implements its odd-even formula.

"Ola Share will allow citizens who travel on the same routes to share their rides with users from social groups they are part of, starting on Tuesday. This makes for economical fares and reduced congestion, since a ride can now be shared by up to three people at any point in time," Ola said. Ola would offer a 50-per cent discount on Ola Share fares over the coming month, it added. Ola Share was launched in October in Bengaluru.
 

Ola's rival, Uber, had launched a ride-sharing feature on its platform to allow private car owners to offer rides. "We are excited to bring Ola Share to Delhi NCR at a time when the citizens and the government are taking a massive step to reduce on-road congestion. Ola Share will help citizens travel in the comfort of social groups they are part of, with convenient access from the Ola app," Ola head (Ola Share) Ishan Gupta said.

Users can also request creation of groups with due e-mail verification, Ola said, adding that only compressed natural gas vehicles will be utilised for Ola Share bookings within Delhi, in line with its continued commitment to CNG adoption.

The Delhi government will implement its much-debated odd-even car scheme from January 1, 2016, allowing vehicles with licence plates ending with odd and even numbers to ply on alternate days.

The scheme will be reviewed after first 15 days and then the government will study its impact and decide if the plan will be extended further or not.

While ride-sharing in private cars is an evolved concept in the US market for cab-hailing companies, the trend is yet to pick up in India. Currently, Uber only has drivers with commercial licences on board in India.