Zoomcar on Friday launched a new pilot program Zoomcar Cabs in Bengaluru, under which it will offer cars with professional drivers as it looks to diversify its product offerings.
The new service will see the Bengaluru-based company cater to a market currently dominated by unorganized players and established companies like Ola and Uber, which also offer ride-hailing services to users.
According to the company, the pilot stems from a need expressed by users for a “reliable, transparent alternative to traditional cab services”.
“The launch of Zoomcar Cabs reflects Zoomcar’s focus on listening to customer feedback and providing tailored solutions with an added layer of transparency and flexibility unlike other apps. Guests can easily book vehicles of their choice, be it for self-drive or with a driver, all on the single Zoomcar app. via – eliminating the need for multiple apps to meet their travel needs,” said Hiroshi Nishijima, CEO of Zoomcar.
Under Zoomcar Cabs, users can select the exact car model and see reviews and ratings about the quality and condition of the vehicle by other users on the platform. The platform allows users to add their pickup or start locations to the app and have complete control over their stops, routes and destinations. It will allow people to book cars from two hours to more than 30 days.
The pilot in Bengaluru will serve as a beta project to test the model with plans to expand to other cities in 2025 based on success.
In October, the self-drive car-sharing platform said the company was restructuring debt to reduce outstanding debt of about $31 million as of June 30.
However, Jumcar said that in the last six months, the company has significantly improved its profitability and is strategically investing in new product lines to meet demand.