I used Uber
about 5 times in last 15 days and paid less than INR 400 (<
US$ 8) against total billing for more than INR 2500 (>US$ 40). Out of these last 3
rides has been absolutely free of cost. On a rough estimate, Uber should have
paid about INR 2000 ( ~US$ 33) to cab owners/driver against these rides.
All Thanks to referral
program and discount offer on Uber!!! INR 300 credit on each successful referral
and flat 25% discount on each ride in Delhi/NCR.
Above calculations
clearly says, I brought ~US$ 25 to India without breaking a law. Cab owners/drivers
get paid (discount is not going out of their pocket).
Where is this money
coming from? No rocket science…
US based startup Uber
has raised about US$1.5 billion in various funding rounds since inception in 2010. And it has planned to
invest US$400 million in India. All this is to be spent to acquire customers.
How? Referral program and discount to existing and new customers to keep using Uber.
So Money is coming
from Investors pocket. If they are willing to fund my cab rides, than
why not?
We talk about stop using foreign products and services and
start using Indians’ so that we help our economy to save Indian Rupee to go out
of our boundary. Here I would say, use Uber.
This is one Foreign Service if we use till these referrals and
discounts are going on and till we get near-free rides – our cab drivers/owners
are safe and employed, we are not sending our currency and forex reserve
outside - rather bringing more dollars into the country (Or, consuming, what is
already been planned to spend in our country to remain in our country); and
doing it fast, so that they are motivated to plan for more to invest or spare
for our consumption.
And most importantly, by doing so (using more and more Uber
till we get Near-Free-rides); we are motivating Indian entrepreneurs to launch
world-class services. Some efforts has been started at Ola, TaxiForSure, Meru etc. But not
enough. They have to improvise further. They need regulatory help from Indian
Govt. particularly from RBI, who has started working this direction.
Whatever, anybody say or crib, Uber is really cool. It
really function like my personal driver. However, driver changes everytime… J
and service standard are very high. Thumps up!
BTW, my Uber code
is ‘vibhorb4’.
Keep using Uber. Bring Forex to India. You are helping the
nation.
Are you listening Ola, TFS, Meru, EasyCab, Mega…..!!!
PS: Remember key is – using it ONLY till it is near-free.