Komal of Trikuta Nagar is in a rush. An employee at a private bank in Transport Nagar, she is tired after working the whole day. She knows she will be late for home if she waits for an auto or travels by a matador. She pulls out her smartphone, taps on ride-hailing app ‘Efleet’ and reaches home.
“At this hour of day, taking an auto has never been easy and cheaper in Jammu,” says Komal who used to wait for a passing auto-rickshaw while being stuck on Transport Nagar road, and also give in to extra fares.
Gandhi Nagar’s Anamika has used the app recently to visit her maternal home in Rehari and she comments, “The fare was reasonable, in fact, Rs 40-50 less.” She has shared the link of the app to her friends and is excited about the discount that she would receive on her next ride.
One of Sapna’s cousins introduced her to this app. “It has eased the tension of finding a ride for my daughter. The auto reaches home to pick her up and drops her at her institution, on time. I feel secure when I send my young daughter by using this app,” she states.
Other commuters using the app are relieved that they no longer need to walk or ride to an auto stand, and then take an auto to their destination. They can simply call an auto right in front of their door.
An auto driver, who has been using the app to get work for nearly a week, feels that being an Efleet driver has helped him gain more customers and their respect.
Efleet is a ride-hailing mobile application, introduced by a software development and outsourcing company. Launched on a trial basis in Jammu by Prikshit Gupta, the app now has 40 auto-rickshaw drivers on its roll.
According to him, “If there’s a way of saving bucks on commuting, especially the auto-rickshaw rides, then a majority of people from Jammu will check it out. Although there are multiple ride-hailing services active in metro cities, Jammu has none. That is where ‘Efleet’ enters.”
Uber(2009) and Ola(2010) had first started the cab-hailing mobile apps, which saw a new market in auto-rickshaws with the coming of Jugnoo (2014). However, Jammu could only wait for these apps to extend their services or a locally launched app could end their woes.
“Shared resentment against erring auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Jammu, plus the worldwide success of on-demand cab/auto services, inspired us to do something on similar lines for our city,” Prikshit remarks.
He adds, “Trials are on in City, Janipur, Paloura, Sarwal, Bakshi Nagar, and Auqaf Market. We want the commuters and drivers, to have a live experience of operating the app and get familiar with it. It is helpful to get feedback and identify problem areas, before the app is actually launched.”
What makes Efleet different from popular ride-hailing platforms?
Prikshit: Ola and Uber are cab-aggregators, while Jugnoo is an auto-aggregator. We, a UK-based company, plan to provide a platform for click-away ambulances, trucks, load carriers, e-rickshaws, besides autos and taxis. It is a pan-India project, making its start from Jammu.
Other platforms charge commissions from drivers, and we don’t. They take convenience charges from customers, and we don’t. They fix fares for trips, and we don’t, even though our services will be on par with them.
It is rare for a ride-hailing service to provide load carriers or ambulances. We’ll include load carriers in our Jammu services, in a month or two. Ambulance services will be free of cost.
Should auto and taxi unions feel threatened by your presence?
Prikshit: For the uninitiated, we are leveraging on the existing vehicles rather than creating a new fleet. So there’s no threat to their business. We are starting with autos as they are significant public transport, and because we cannot include everything at once.
Given the education levels and technological proficiency of drivers, how difficult it is to bring them on the platform?
Prikshit: Most of the drivers already own a smartphone but an app of this sort is new for them. They have reluctance towards adopting technology for their business. We personally meet drivers to make them understand the advantages of the app. We train them to use the app and give ample time to understand the process. The decision to register and continue is their own.
It was, and still is, challenging to convince drivers that they will not be paid a monthly salary.
One of the auto unions has given its consent for a tie-up with us. Interestingly, there’s a faction of drivers which has been involved in foul-mouthing about us, reasons are best known to them. It may be possible that our business will attract more people, directly affecting their unholy nexus. It is causing a bit of delay in launching the app.
What is an interested driver required to do to sign up for the app?
Kuljeet Kumar Bittu, Jammu Auto Operators Union Leader: Prikshit ji approached me and explained their idea of integrating technology into our daily work. Just to try, I downloaded the drivers’ app on my smartphone. He taught me how to upload the required documents and generate my User ID.
Prikshit: They need to download the app first. When a window titled ‘Become a driver’ opens, upload the documents – Driving License (DL), Registration Certificate (RC), Insurance papers and RTO permit. Fill in other details, such as name, phone number and banking details. This process is free. When verified, a user ID and a password is generated and they can start using the app to get work. We are strict about the documents and for now, screening every driver ourselves.
How does the app work?
Prikshit: It is real-time transport dispatch software, where it allows the end users to summon a ride to any location. Essentially, it is internet-dependent.
When a customer opens the app, he/she is shown the mode of transport and drivers available nearby. If he/she enters the drop off location, an estimated fare is also shown. Simultaneously, an idle driver within the radius of 2 km is notified on his phone that a customer wishes to travel from ‘X’ place to ‘Y’ place. As soon as he confirms the booking from his end, both get to see each other’s contact details. They can even call and coordinate. Then it is the customer who has to confirm the booking.
The app uses real-time geo-mapping so that drivers can follow maps to reach the exact location, and customers can get near-to accurate fares in advance. Even if the driver complains of faulty meter, the app shows you how many kilometres travelled, at what speed, what are the waiting charges, etc. To enhance the transparency of the process further, the customer gets a receipt of the fare, once the trip is over.
What if someone does not book a ride through the app, but hails a passing auto?
Prikshit: The driver app has the option for street pickup, which he can click to specify that he’s taking a passenger from the street. We do not limit them to rides provided by the app, they are free to continue with their regular work.
Please shed some light on your business model.
Prikshit: Efleet works on the fares approved by J&K Motor Vehicles Department. In addition to that, customers have to pay minimal waiting charges. We have multiple payment options, such as credit card, debit card, Paytm or cash.
We have urged the drivers to open bank accounts in case they do not have. Banking details are mandatory for digital transactions.
Once we get stable and look forward to develop infrastructure, drivers will have to pay us Rs 50 or less, every day. The main source of revenue for us is advertising, which may be on the app or social media. Transit advertising is also being thought upon.
What all security measures can we expect from Efleet vehicles?
Prikshit: As already said, we will not register any driver without proper documents for the safety of one and all. Then, they have to follow fares and wear uniform as set out by the authorities. We keep an eye on the daily process, including feedback.
The app has an emergency button for both passengers and drivers, which when pressed will alert the people they have added in their emergency call list. Furthermore, there is an SOS button which directly calls ‘100’when tapped.
Drivers, who are found violating any rule or law or have a negative marking on the app, will face strict actions and removal from the platform.
How is it beneficial for drivers who have or will empanel under Efleet?
Prikshit: It is a fact that auto drivers are not working all day long and not in every part of Jammu. All of them do not own the autos they drive, rather they have to pay Rs 250 per day for it. These are considered primary reasons for overcharging, which we seek to negate through our app.
Efleet will provide them with continuous work. The driver app shows monthly earnings, past bookings, feedback, etc. where they will themselves get to see their earnings increase, within the limits of MVD fixed fares, that is Rs 33 meter down and Rs 14 per km.
We have planned a tuition center for the children of drivers studying in 10th and 12th class, first preference for jobs in our company to their well-qualified children, a blood donor database of drivers, loan assistance, personal accidental policy, insurances, and development of auto stands for better work environment.
Kuljeet Kumar Bittu: With regularised income through Efleet, we can come on the same level with auto-drivers of metro cities. We will have a culture of working with dignity. We will be ‘modern’ auto-drivers.
Efleet App
With its hassle-free ride services, the app is gradually gaining popularity among the people of Jammu. It has more than 1000 downloads from Google Play Store alone.
The 15 M sized app is available on both, Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Any person with Android-based devices or ios-based devices can install the app.
The app has two versions – one for passengers and another for drivers.
How to use the Passenger app:
-Install the app
Google PlayStore link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Efleet&hl=en
Apple App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/efleet/id1455441301
-Open the app
-Allow the app to use the device’s current location
-The window asks ‘Continue with phone number’ or ‘Continue with Facebook’. You can click on any of the two options; however, it is better to go with the ‘phone number’. Phone numbers are needed to call and coordinate for a trip
-Enter your phone number and click continue
-The app asks for a 4-digit code to verify the phone number you just entered.
-A window titled ‘Sign up’ is displayed, where you need to fill in your name, a password, email ID and referral code. Providing email ID and referral code are optional. Click Submit.
-A map showing your current location opens up. Enter the drop off location, which is optional.
-The app has a multitude of means of transport, but not all work in all the cities. It has auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, prime taxi, micro taxi, prime sedan taxi, luxury SUV taxi, bike, mid-size load carrier, ambulance, truck, and courier. A feature to explore is ‘packages’, while ‘ambulance’ is an appreciable effort.
– One can pre-book the ride for any given day.
-A commuter can check out his past and upcoming bookings at ‘My Bookings’ option
-For cashless rides, a commuter can recharge ‘Efleet wallet’ just like any other digital wallet
-‘Favorite trips’ reminds you of a place you have visited the most, or liked the experience of the ride
-In the ‘Fare’ option, a commuter can see the details of fare fixed by the authorities for different vehicles and routes.
-Add three contacts in ‘Emergency contacts’ which can be alerted immediately when you are in some serious trouble
-Invite friends to like and download the app, enabling you to earn discount on your next ride.
-Manage settings of your Efleet account, from language to split fare to deleting the account
Also: Read my article at THE DISPATCH
Efleet making commute easier in Jammu
https://www.thedispatch.in/efleet-making-commute-easier-in-jammu/?fbclid=IwAR3_U0BhIq880V7Gne5gvHQ-F1V2hbl6wdK4i24flur5WTkRTWArVMI0Uzc
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