Ola finds space on IRCTC app: Enables cab booking option in advance and on the go

Fight between Ola and Uber is one of the fierce battles being fought in the fledgling Indian Internet economy. Both leaves no stone unturned to gain an upper hand on each other. While Uber is limited to 31 cities and has brought little innovations to suit the local audience, homegrown Unicorn Ola has been enacting several India focused solutions for urban commuters across 110 cities.

After setting up kiosks at major airports, railway stations in Delhi, Ola is eyeing to tap the burgeoning railway crowd through the government-run IRCTC app.

To ease last mile connectivity, the Bengaluru-based company has tied up with IRCTC to provide in-app facility to book a cab service offered by Ola on its platform.

In the six-month pilot project, the Ola cab facility will provide ride-hailing options including Ola Auto, Ola Share etc. on the IRCTC Rail Connect App and website.

Entrackr has tried to access the newly launched service and found IRCTC app and website has been an inbuilt facility to avail the aforementioned services.

To make it frill-free, Ola has enabled a feature where customers can choose to book cabs up to seven days in advance or upon reaching the railway station. In addition, the IRCTC outlets at railway stations or Ola's self-serving kiosk will also enable bookings.

Ola has been trying to catch the railway and airport commuters via kiosks machine. Last month Railways had partnered with the cab aggregator to facilitate last mile connectivity at its five key railway stations in Delhi.

Through the partnership, passengers at stations majorly New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Sarai Rohilla and Nizamuddin, will now be able to book cabs with the assistance of Ola representatives stationed at its kiosks within the station premises.

Besides Railway and Airport, Ola also partnered with Rapid Metro Gurugram, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corp. Ltd to equip key metro stations with dedicated Ola kiosks.

Of late, Ola and Uber have been rubbing shoulder in all possible way. The Indian ride-hailing firm has over 3X reach than the Uber. Catering to railway travelers is a good move from the Bhavish Agarwal-led company. Premium railway travelers prefer app-based cab-hailing options as it's cheaper than traditional cabs.

The development was reported by ET.