Now travel with 'Aamchi Drive' app

Mumbaikars now you can book the kaali-peeli taxi with 'Aamchi Drive' mobile application. The app is launched to counter the Ola-Uber effect. The commuters mostly prefer traveling in Ola-Uber taxis due to safety and rate card reasons.

The app, available for use in app in Marathi, Hindi and English, is launched to make kaali-peeli taxis available at government-approved rates even for short distances.

The application, which is an initiative of the Kaali Peeli Taxi Union and the Mumbai Taximen's Union, is an effort to tackle the competition from Ola and Uber.

The non-air conditioned kaali-peeli taxi rides will be operating at the rate of Rs 22.15 for the first 1.5 kilometres and Rs 14.84 for every kilometer. The air conditioned taxis will cost Rs 28 for the 1.5 kilometres and Rs 18 for every kilometre after that.

The app's user interface is similar to other cab aggregators in the city, where one can just input the destination and it will send your request to all registered taxis in your area, apart from showing the fare estimate, payment options and other details

It is widely believed that commuters prefer taking Ola and Uber taxis because of the arrogant attitude of kaali peeli drivers who refuse to ply for short distances.

Mumbai Taximen's Union leader A L Quadros told, "There will be no more complaints of refusals as our taxis will be available in the same way as an Ola or Uber." In another statement, Quadros said, "When a commuter makes a booking on his smartphone, he will get a list of taxis parked in the vicinity. There will be a central control room which will assign a taxi and send a message to both the driver and the customer. There will be no extra charge (or service charge) for booking. Our taxis will ply as per the RTO-approved fare".