S3 Cab app, started by rebel drivers, could hardly last

Rebels, who were earlier behind the wheels of Uber and Ola cabs, initiated their own mobile taxi app called S3 (Sahyadri Smart Safe Private Ltd) Cab on March 28. On May 12, it was launched by the state government with much fanfare. However, from October 1, the drivers operating their taxis on S3 app, have withdrawn though the app still exists. Such short was the life of an app started by taxi drivers. The drivers have now demanded that the State should take charge of app-based cab businesses and include them under an act.

Sources said that since early October, all 4,700 drivers who were part of S3 have withdrawn. This is the reason why despite logging into the app, no cabs are available for booking. With the ongoing strike by Ola and Uber drivers - which hit its sixth day on Saturday - S3 Cab could have been a good option for commuters looking for respite. However, the dearth is being managed by good old black and yellow taxis and auto rickshaws.

"All the drivers have withdrawn from the platform. There seemed to be some issues within the management and we were not getting paid as well," said a driver who was part of S3 Cab.

The app also functioned on a surge pricing mechanism, the company claimed. A financer invested Rs 1 crore on developing the app and making it live. From May 12, when it was first launched, there have been over 50,000 downloads. Sources agreed that in the past four months when they were functional, there have been several complaints against the app and the kind of service it provided.

Passengers had complained that the price shown at the time of booking and at the end of the trip varied; it often rose by 20-30 per cent. Some also complained of poor service in terms of how most drivers behaved. At times, drivers did not turn up even after accepting rides.

S3 Cab claimed they are willing to charge 3 per cent towards facility charges from drivers on a daily earning of up to Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 and 10 per cent on any amount above it, as opposed to 20-25 per cent charged by other service providers. Ola and Uber have been primarily providing app-based taxis since 2014. Despite the new Maharashtra City Taxi Rules 2017 regulating surge pricing, lack of implementation has left consumers unhappy.

S3 Cab is promoted by director Sohel Kazani. An official from the company said, "We have suspended the app for the time being. But, we are hoping to restart it within a week. We are working on expanding the utility of this app".

INCREASING WOES

• Passengers had complained that the price shown at the time of booking and at the end of the trip varied 
   
• Some had also complained of poor service in terms of how most drivers behaved 
   
• At times, drivers did not turn up even after accepting rides