The city is set to witness some serious competition to the two big app-based taxi aggregators — Ola and Uber — with the entry of OTS Cabs, a local operator. The app — OTS Cabs — which is short for Ottunar Thozhargal Sangam, indicating an association of drivers, is set to be launched on the Android and iOS platform from Tuesday.
S. Sampath, proprietor, OTS Cabs, said the USP of their taxi services is the standard pricing to be followed by them unlike the different surge pricing formula followed by Ola and Uber.
The cab service has four different transport options available, including auto, mini, sedan and SUV. All the options will have only standard pricing.
The pricing for mini has been fixed at ₹80 for a minimum of 4 km and ₹14 for every additional km and a waiting charge of ₹1 per minute. Travelling in a sedan would cost ₹100 for a minimum of 4 km and ₹16 for every additional km. For SUVs, the rate card is ₹200 for the first 4 km and ₹22 for every additional km, and a waiting charge of ₹2 per minute.
OTS Cabs plans to operate more than 1,800 cars in the city by offering good incentives to drivers who want to associate with it.
Mr. Sampath said, at present, cab aggregators collect above 20% of the total earnings of the drivers as commission along with the Goods and Services Tax (GST). With OTS Cabs, drivers will be charged only 7% along with 5% GST, he added.