Commuters can now use a new local rickshaw-hailing app

As the ride-hailing businesses continue to flourish in Pakistan, another startup has been launched by the local rickshaw union where the customers can hail rickshaws instead of cars in cheaper prices.

Uber has already introduced its ‘Uber Auto’ and Careem with its ‘Tezz Rickshaw’, the rickshaw union introduced its service calling it ‘Awami Sawari’. The app was revealed and announced in an event held in Lahore by Awami Rickshaw Union (ARU).

Through this service, customers can call a rickshaw from any place at any time around the city. This will also allow the rickshaw driver to get more rides as compared to getting rides independently. The ARU has registered almost 500 rickshaw drivers, who will encourage their routine passengers in installing the application to call rickshaw at their doorstep. The union is also trying to give android smartphones to the drivers, reported Tech Juice.

Uber to charge extra fare if driver travels longer to pick you

ARU has allocated a base tariff of Rs 48 with Rs 9 rate charged per kilometer from travelling anywhere across the city. Though not much competitive as compared to Careem’s and Uber’s rickshaw services, the major potency of this app, however, is the sense of ownership observed in the drivers.

Speaking to Express Tribune, ARU President Majeed Ghauri said, “Some of our friends, who have a tech background, helped us in developing the mobile application platform for rickshaw drivers and commuters. The application has been tested among a select group of users and all bugs have been fixed before the launch. We are not against multinational ride-hailing services operating in different cities but we are against the uneven playing field.”

Aslam Qadri, a rickshaw driver exclaimed that because of the growing ride-hailing services, 30% to 40% of their businesses have been snatched. “Earlier, bus terminals and railway stations were prime spots for rickshaw drivers, but now people alight of the buses and trains and hire these ride-hailing services right away, while rickshaw and taxi drivers keep standing for hours.”

Ghauri further continued, “The rickshaw drivers are paying for vehicle fitness certificates, traffic police challans, the fines imposed by the environment department and several other such taxes and penalties, while these ride-hailing services are snatching passengers from rickshaw drivers.”

For the time being, the app is only limited to Lahore but the creators aim to expand it to other cities soon after getting a positive feedback from the city. According to Ghauri, the app is particularly owned by Pakistanis with no foreign involvement. Awami Sawari is available for download on Google Play Store.