Took an Ola Micro to get home yesterday and as usual started a conversation with the driver. Found out that the driver was completely frustrated with Ola. The statement he made was that at this rate he would soon need to either kill himself or strip the car into parts and sell it in Chor Bazar. When I asked him further about his problems here is what I found out.
He took a new Ritz from Ola by making some down payment for an EMI of 11k a month.
In all he makes a maximum of Rs 2500 on a great day (MBG) or Rs 1500 on a dull day if he works for 10-11 hours. He said he works at least 25 days a month which makes him about Rs 50,000/month.
He spends a good 30% or more on fuel which is around Rs 17500 and gives 15% to Ola which is Rs 7500. When we add these with his emi he pays a total of Rs 36000 a month which leaves Rs 14000 in his hands.
Above this he says Ola is squeezing him through making offers like ride share and micros which makes a regular trip that earlier costed Rs 300 as Rs 180 now.
He felt that he was trapped by projections that were nothing like what he is seeing. On the contrary I have heard quiet opposite reviews from other drivers with whom I had traveled earlier. Either way, I think Ola ought to watch out for both parties (Drivers and Passengers) if they want to continue successfully as a business in the long term.
