Ola Now Offers Cashless Payments for Auto Rickshaw, Kaali-Peeli Taxi Rides

Ola on Wednesday announced that it will now offer 'cashless rides', or more precisely, a cashless payment solution, via its in-app Ola money wallet for auto rickshaw bookings from its app.

The company in a press statement announced that the cashless rides on auto rickshaw will be available in Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Bangalore. Additionally, users in Mumbai can book Kaali-Peeli taxis via Ola app and can also pay using the wallet.

The company claims that the cashless payment via in-app Ola money wallet is the first payment solution for auto rickshaws. It also believes that with the integration of its in-app Ola money wallet service for auto rickshaws, users will be not required to carry cash.

Ola claimed that it has over 40,000 autos and kaali-peeli taxis registered pan-India on the Ola app.

Ola customers who wish to pay for an auto rickshaw ride via the in-app Ola wallet will have to inform the driver about the payment mode. At the end of the ride, the driver will enter fare displayed on the meter, followed by the four-digit OTP that the customer will receive via an SMS. The company notes, "Ola money is then automatically deducted from the customer's account. Drivers can withdraw their payments any time from the prepaid ATM card that is linked to their Ola account."

Commenting on the announcement, Pallav Singh, Vice President, Operations at Ola said, "With cashless rides for autos and Kaali-Peelis now, the experience for both customers and drivers becomes seamless. We believe digital payments will shape the future of personal transportation in India."

Ola (formerly Ola Cabs) earlier this month acquired cab aggregator TaxiForSure for $200 million (roughly Rs. 1,240 crores). The move was seen an attempt of Ola to complement its strengths as it works with drivers while TaxiForSure works with cab operators.