Ola Share is a new service where you don’t have to pay for the whole cab. Instead, you can book just a seat, and share the ride with others.
This service has been launched in Bengaluru and will gradually expand to other cities.
Service Resumption After COVID
Ola Share was available before the COVID-19 pandemic but was paused during the pandemic for social distancing reasons.
The service was not restarted immediately after COVID-19, despite high customer demand for it due to cost savings.
Benefits of Ola Share
Ola Share is advantageous for customers as it is cheaper than booking a whole cab. Many people prefer to drive their own cars to avoid higher cab fares.
With Ola Share, you only pay 50-60% of the fare compared to the full cab price, making it a cost-effective choice, especially in heavy traffic.
Uber’s Similar Service
Uber offered a similar service called Uber Pool, which was also paused during the pandemic and has not been resumed. With Ola Share now available, Uber may consider restarting Uber Pool to stay competitive.
Competition from Namma Yatri
Namma Yatri is emerging as a strong competitor to Ola and Uber. It is a zero-commission platform, attracting many cab drivers who want to avoid the commissions charged by Ola and Uber.
This new competition is pushing Ola and Uber to explore new ways to boost their earnings.
