Uber and Ola Extend Services to Government Officers
Uber Partners with Government E-Marketplace Portal to Provide Taxi Services to Government Departments and PSUs
27 May 2023
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Kunal Tyagi
Cab aggregators Uber and Ola have partnered with the government e-marketplace (GeM) to offer taxi services to government departments at special rates.
The collaboration aims to enhance transparency in government procurement processes and provide cost-effective transportation solutions for government personnel.
The partnership will allow government departments to save significant amounts of money by utilizing Uber's reliable and economical services, with fixed prices and no surge pricing.
Cab aggregators Uber and Ola have ventured into a new domain by offering taxi services to government departments at special rates. This strategic move comes as both companies register on the government e-marketplace (GeM), a portal aimed at enhancing transparency in government procurement processes. With taxi services being the second-highest category in demand at GeM, this partnership holds significant potential to save government departments substantial amounts of money. Let's delve deeper into the details.
Government personnel from ministries, departments, agencies, and public sector units (PSUs) will now have the convenience of booking taxis for official purposes through Uber. The service will be rolled out in phases, starting with a pilot program and gradually expanding to cater to all government entities. Uber's service will be available at a fixed price, eliminating surge pricing and cancellation charges, and providing a reliable and cost-effective solution.
By collaborating with GeM, Uber has positioned itself as a registered service provider on the portal. Launched in 2016 by the commerce ministry, GeM aims to streamline government procurement by offering a wide range of products and services to central ministries and departments. With taxi services being a significant expenditure for government entities, this partnership presents an opportunity to enhance efficiency and transparency in their transportation requirements.
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Government departments spend substantial amounts on taxi services, and the introduction of Uber as a reliable and economical option presents an opportunity for significant cost savings. By leveraging this new service, departments can redirect their budgetary allocations and effectively manage expenses. Additionally, the Uber app allows authorized officials in each ministry or department to add riders, enabling seamless booking and transparent billing processes.
Government officials will benefit from a cashless experience when using Uber for their transportation needs. The collaboration has also introduced additional vehicle categories specifically for government riders, such as GeM Yatraa Hatch and GeM Yatraa Sedan. Furthermore, the service offers hourly rentals, accommodating multiple stops during the officials' journeys, and ensuring their travel requirements are efficiently met.
This partnership between Uber and GeM is expected to pave the way for other aggregators to follow suit, thereby increasing competition in the market. As more providers enter the platform, the government stands to gain further cost advantages and better service options. The integration of Uber's services with GeM is a step toward revolutionizing the transportation landscape for government departments, leading to improved efficiency and reduced expenses.