Close on the heels of radio cabs, it is the turn of the humble auto rickshaw to turn hi-tech now. Here is AyAuto, a Dial-an-Auto service in Pune that hopes to capitalise on people’s desire to have a mode of conveyance on demand, and one which is not so heavy on the pocket too.
The catch: For the time being, the service is restricted to Kothrud, ShivajiNagar and Deccan areas. Charges will be strictly by meter only.
I’d said before that in Pune, the distances aren’t all that much, and if comfort (like air conditioning) or ‘status’ isn’t a factor, then the auto rickshaw is a much more affordable means of transport as compared to a radio cab, which charges Rs.16 per km.
Hopefully, autos will be more easily available too, as we’re largely dependent on Wings Radio Cabs at the moment.
AyAuto are presently conducting field trials and plan to go live by next week. Let’s see how the Pune junta takes to this new service 🙂