Cab-hailing major Uber is re- launching its ‘AUTO’ service in India, almost two years after shutting down the offering in March 2016, starting with Bengaluru and Pune. The US-based company, which is locked in an intense battle with homegrown player Ola, will allow customers to book autorickshaw rides through ‘AUTO’ option on its platform later this month in these two cities.
Ola, which also allows booking autorickshaw rides under ‘Auto’ service, had launched the offering in Bengaluru and Chennai in 2014. Ola Auto is currently operational across 73 cities with over 1.2 lakh autos associated with the company.
An Uber spokesperson said the company had ‘paused’ the service ‘to see how that side of India's transport ecosystem evolves’. “Auto rickshaws are ubiquitous to mobility options in many Indian cities. To expand transportation choices for our riders, we are excited to launch AUTO in Bengaluru and Pune,” the spokesperson told PTI.