Ola Launches ‘Auto Unnati’ – A First-Of-Its-Kind Comprehensive Benefit Program for Auto Driver Partners

Introduces tailor-made business benefits that guarantee INR 40,000 in earnings for auto driver partners every month, in addition to a unique insurance program

Bengaluru, February 15th, 2018: Ola, India’s leading and one of the world’s largest ride-sharing companies, today launched ‘Auto Unnati’– a comprehensive benefit program for its Auto driver partners. As a part of this initiative, Ola Auto partners will benefit from Ola’s unique and comprehensive ‘Chalo Befikar’ insurance program, family welfare initiatives, and performance-based financial benefits. Built out of local insights gathered over time, ‘Auto Unnati’ is Ola’s first such program that aims to create a robust financial cover and business benefit assurance plan that enables a healthy professional ecosystem for Auto driver partners and enhances their entrepreneurial journey.

Ola’s in-trip insurance program ‘Chalo Befikar’ for auto driver partners is an industry-first initiative that provides a cover of INR 500,000 at zero-cost for every Ola Auto driver partner. It entails daily benefits in case of hospitalisation to cover business losses, takes care of outstanding auto loans, and children’s education. This program will help in achieving a sustainable livelihood, benefiting the partners and their families. Starting in Bengaluru, ‘Chalo Befikar’ will be rolled out in a phased manner to different cities in the coming months.

Key Features of ’Chalo Befikar’ program:

• Covering outstanding vehicle loan obligation of driver partners, irrespective of the loan amount
• Children’s education fee (up to INR 24,000 per year) per child till class 10th – over and above the cover of INR 500,000
• Business loss reimbursement of up to INR 750 per day for 3 months, in case of temporary disability

‘Auto Unnati’ is further strengthened by a tailor-made performance-based financial benefit program that guarantees earnings of INR. 40,000 to all auto drivers. This program has been launched exclusively for Ola Auto driver partners in Bengaluru and will inspire them to focus more on customer service and increase their earning potential.

Speaking on the launch of Auto Unnati, Siddharth Agrawal, Senior Director and Head Auto category at Ola said, “Ola has consistently co-created multiple avenues to foster entrepreneurship in the driver partner ecosystem. Our aim is to create an inclusive environment in which driver partners can operate and thrive. ‘Auto Unnati’ is a milestone program in the same direction that will offer better financial and emotional stability for thousands of auto drivers in Bengaluru. He added, “With the assurance of financial benefits and free insurance cover, Auto Unnati will elevate Auto Drivers’ overall wellbeing and that of their families.”

Speaking on the program Christy Thompson, an Ola Auto driver partner, said, “I am delighted to be a part of Ola’s ‘Auto Unnati’ program that is aimed at providing increased earning opportunities as well as cater to the needs of my family and their wellbeing. I have been driving with Ola for more than 2 years now and I feel the benefits and opportunities the platform offers are immense. With the introduction of the insurance policy, I will have an assurance that if tomorrow something happens to me, my family is financially secure and that my children’s education won’t stop. Additionally, the business benefits will bring consistency in my earnings and help me save more and plan a better future for my family.” 

Ola Auto was launched in Bengaluru in 2014. Since then, the category has seen multifold growth making it an integral part of the city’s transport ecosystem. Over the years, Ola has brought in cutting edge technology like Wi-Fi to the auto platform and has revamped the whole experience for the customers as well as drivers partners.

About Ola Auto:

Launched in 2014, Ola has over 2,00,000 Auto rickshaws registered on its platform across 73 cities, and plans to launch in more cities in the coming months. The Ola app for Auto driver partners is available in English and Indic languages including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. Every Auto driver partner on the Ola app goes through a KYC verification and training across behavioural, etiquette, and technology to make the ride experience seamless for customers.

About Ola:

Founded in 2011 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola is one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies. Ola integrates city transportation for customers and driver-partners onto a mobile technology platform ensuring convenient, transparent, and quick service fulfilment. Ola is focused on leveraging the best of technology and building innovative solutions ground-up, that are relevant at global scale. Notably, in 2016, Ola Play the world’s first connected car platform for ride-sharing was launched, transforming commuting experiences and setting the tone for global innovation in this space. Beyond offering a highly personal experience for users during their rides, Ola Play also allows its partners like Microsoft, Apple Music, Sony Liv amongst others, to build a high quality interactive and productive experience for its users. Using the Ola mobile app, users across 110+ cities, can connect with over 1,000,000 driver-partners across cabs, auto-rickshaws, and taxis. Driven by a hyperlocal approach, Ola is committed to its mission of building mobility for a billion people.

For additional details, please contact:

Vatsala Halli | media@olacabs.com