Assam signs MoU with Ola for app-based river taxi service

Guwahati Feb 4 (IANS) The Assam government and Ola one of the world s largest and India s leading ride-sharing companies on Sunday signed an MoU to pilot an app-based river taxi service here.

The MoU has been signed in the presence of state Transport and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and Ola s Vice President Operations Vijay Ghadge at the ongoing Global Investors Summit: Advantage Assam here.

Ola had launched its app-based taxi services in the state in December 2014 offerings day to day as well as long distance inter-city and state commutes.

The river taxis will be a machine-operated boat which is faster and safer than the conventional ones. Ola will pilot high-speed taxis on the Lachit Ghat Machkhowa to North Guwahati route bringing the commute time down 2 to 5 minutes from 45 minutes by road. The fast pace of these boats-cum-taxis will not only reduce the travel time but will also provide a more comfortable journey for its commuters.

"Assam has a very unique transportation landscape where water transport plays an important role in cities such as Guwahati. Ola has played a key role in streamlining road transport over the last few years in the state.

"This time around we are thrilled to extend the partnership with Ola to pilot app-based water taxis in the capital city. We are certain that bringing a localised mode of commute on an app platform will enable convenient transportation for citizens and tourists alike and we look forward to more such collaborations with Ola " Patowary said.

Ghadge meanwhile said that bringing water taxis on the online platform a localized and key mode of commute in the capital city will further strengthen the transportation ecosystem.

"App-based bookings will streamline demand and enable advance bookings and cashless payments ensuring a convenient commuting experience as well as given an impetus the local transportation infrastructure and economy " he said.

--IANS
ah/vd