Mumbai's kaali-peeli taxis to finally get their own app called '9211'

With the rise of radio-cab services like Ola and Uber, Mumbai’s two taxi unions have finally decided to go the mobile way with a soon to be launched app called ‘9211’. This means that all of those (a majority at least) 35,000 cabs will soon be available at the beckoning call of the Mumbaikar. While it seems like the taxi unions have bitten off more than they can chew, it is going to be a massive operation. But according to Prem Singh, leader of the Mumbai Taxi Association, things are expected to be under control. In fact, a majority of the service will be more of self-service, in terms of operations with taxi drivers enrolling themselves directly from the 9211 app. The 9211 app that is expected to be launched by the end of this month is also expected to be top notch with safety features, GPS tracking and even an SOS button. In fact, the unions have also set up a control room to keep an eye on active rides. As for payments, the app will initially accept only cash, but is later expected to offer cashless or online payment options as well. The app is also expected to offer rides at government approved rates, meaning that rides should begin from Rs 22 for the first 1.5 kms and all of this is expected to work without surge pricing. So for now only two factors remain. One would be, how many cabbies would be willing to join the radio cab services and drive to their customers? And secondly, will the app and its services be able to handle the pressure? What do you think? Will the 9211 app take the kaali-peeli to new heights or will it be a failure? Let us know in the comments below.