Ola launches ‘Heroes of Ola’, a multi-city program to recognize outstanding driver partners

• Driver partners will be felicitated for their inspirational work ethic and admirable behaviour
• Customer appreciation received via social media, emails, and in-app feedback used as selection methodology
• ‘Heroes of Ola’  have already been celebrated in top metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Pune, and Hyderabad and will expand to other cities across India

Bengaluru, 16th October, 2017: Ola, India’s most popular mobile app for transportation, today launched ‘Heroes of Ola’, a multi-city programme where driver partners will be felicitated for their exemplary customer service. Driver partners will be felicitated by officials from Traffic police station and senior officials from Ola in the presence of their family members at an event in their respective city.

The ‘Heroes of Ola’ have been selected basis customer feedback received by Ola through various interactive channels like social media, emails, and in-app feedback. It is a special initiative aimed at recognising these exceptional driver partners and to motivate the entire partner community to offer exemplary service at all times.  The program has been kickstarted in key metros and will be conducted every month in  other cities too in the presence of authorities, city officials, driver partners, and their families.

Nitesh Prakash, Senior Director at Ola, said, “We receive a lot of appreciation for our driver partners who go above and beyond the call of duty for their customers across India. Customers write in through various channels appreciating the partners, and these stories are often heroic and often tear-jerking. With Heroes of Ola, we want to encourage such a culture of service among our 9,00,000 driver partner community and share these inspiring stories with the entire world. He further added, “The initiative will go a long way in ensuring customer delight as these heroes go about serving the mobility needs of a billion Indians.”

Suhas Jadhav, Mumbai Ola driver partner and a ‘Hero of Ola’ showcased exemplary commitment to duty by dropping the customer at the airport during the recent Mumbai heavy rains and flood. On receiving this recognition, he said “Once a customer rides with me in my car, the person is my responsibility. I am responsible to drop him/her to their destination safely. When Mumbai received heavy rains recently, many areas were submerged under water. Taxis were refusing to take passengers but I couldn’t do that, as it was against by belief. It was my responsibility to drop my customer safely to the airport. He further added “I am sure with Ola felicitating so many driver partners for their goodwill, this program will motivate people to extend support and spread compassion.”

Yuvraj R, Chennai Ola driver partner and a ‘Hero of Ola’ was appreciated by a customer for displaying exemplary presence of mind, in helping a customer’s friend reach hospital on time. On receiving this recognition, he said, “It gives me immense happiness to be recognized as a Hero of Ola. I am grateful to the customers who have recognized my service and acknowledged it. As a driver partner, I strongly believe that it is my responsibility to ensure that my customers are safe and satisfied with the service provided. He further added, “This recognition has been very motivating and I am honored to have been felicitated by the police authority on such a huge stage. I thank Ola for this recognition and urge my fellow driver partners to serve their customers and the community at every opportunity.”

Guruswamy, Bengaluru Ola driver partner and a ‘Hero of Ola’ showcased honesty by returning the valuables of one of the customers costing 1.5 lakhs. On receiving this recognition, he said “It gives immense happiness to be recognized as a Hero of Ola. I have always believed in honesty and Ola has shown appreciation for what I believe in. Returning back the valuables to my customer not only made me do what I preach, but has restored the customer’s faith that goodwill still prevails in the society. He further added “I would like to thank Ola for appreciating my efforts and urge my fellow driver partners to serve their customers and the community at every opportunity.”

‘Heroes of Ola’ will eventually expand to other regions across India, recognising and acknowledging driver partners who are championing the cause of great experience for customers and public good at large.

The winners included driver partners across categories like Ola Mini, Ola Micro, Ola Prime, Ola Share and Ola Auto. Customers can submit their driver partner appreciation stories either through social media, through e-mails or in-app feedback using #HeroesofOla.

Recent driver partner initiatives @ Ola:

Over the last few years, Ola has rolled out multiple programs for the driver partner community enabling them to earn better livelihoods and encourage micro-entrepreneurship.

Earlier this month, Ola announced the launch of Ola Partner World (OPW), a one-stop-shop for all needs of driver partners registered on the platform. Ola Partner World caters to their various professional and personal needs in a sprawling ambience with best-in-class facilities. Spread over 20,000 square feet, the first Ola Partner World was piloted in Bengaluru at Murugeshpalya, earlier this month for select driver partners and has now been opened up to all partners. Ola plans to extend such a facility to other cities in the country over the course of this year.

Ola has also created engagement programs like Ola Partners League (OPL), partnership with cricket academies to offer scholarships to driver partners’ children; helping drivers in filing their income tax returns, medical camps for free check-ups among other initiatives. With initiatives like Driver Melas and skilling programs, Ola has enabled lakhs of driver partners to lead fulfilled lives.

About Ola:

Founded in Jan 2011 by IIT Bombay alumni Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola (formerly Olacabs), is India’s most popular mobile app for personal transportation. Ola integrates city transportation for customers and driver partners onto a mobile technology platform ensuring convenient, transparent and quick service fulfilment. Ola is committed to its mission ofbuilding mobility for a billion people. Using the Ola mobile app, users across 110 cities can book from over 800,000 vehicles across cabs, auto-rickshaws and taxis. Ola has also introduced a range of shared mobility services on its platform like OlaShuttle and Ola Share for commute and ride-sharing respectively. The app is available on Windows, Android and iOS platforms. Please visit www.olacabs.com/media for more information.

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