To prevent auto driver partners from shifting to newly launched Uber auto service, home-grown, app-based ride-sharing company Ola has announced new incentives scheme for them.
According to Ola, the new scheme, ‘Auto Unnati’, is a comprehensive benefit programme. Auto partners will also benefit from the company’s ‘Chalo Befikar’ insurance programme, family welfare initiatives, and performance-based financial benefits.
“Built out of local insights gathered over time, ‘Auto Unnati’ is Ola’s first such programme that aims to create a robust financial cover and business benefit assurance plan that enables a healthy professional ecosystem for auto driver partners and enhances their entrepreneurial journey,” Ola said in a statement.
The new programme comes at a time when auto drivers are shifting to Uber citing the drop in financial incentives from Ola.
In January, Uber launched its auto service in Bengaluru with a fare as low as Rs 25 for rides up to 4 kms, compared with Rs 29 Ola charges for the same distance.
‘Auto Unnati’ has also tailor-made and performance-based financial benefit programme exclusively for Ola Auto driver partners in Bengaluru which guarantees earnings of Rs 40,000 to all auto drivers.
Commenting on the new programme, Siddharth Agrawal, senior director and head of the auto category at Ola, said: “Our aim is to create an inclusive environment in which driver partners can operate and thrive. ‘Auto Unnati’ is a milestone program in the same direction that will offer better financial and emotional stability for thousands of auto drivers in Bengaluru.”
Ola’s in-trip insurance programme ‘Chalo Befikar’ provides a cover of Rs 500,000 at zero cost for every Ola auto driver partner. It entails daily benefits in case of hospitalisation to cover business losses, takes care of outstanding auto loans, and education for children.
Initially, the programme will be rolled out in Bengaluru and will be expanded to other cities in a phased manner. Ola auto service was launched in 2014 in Bengaluru and has over 200,000 auto rickshaws registered on its platform across 73 cities.
