Uber’s new rival in Australia: an Indian upstart
Ola built itself into India’s leading ride-hailing company by catering to the particular needs of Indian customers, who often like to settle fares in cash and jump on cheap, three-wheeled auto-rickshaws for short trips.
Now Ola is expanding overseas for the first time, to Australia, in a major test of whether India’s new breed of technology start-ups can survive in a developed country.
The company began service in the western city of Perth last month. Last week, it extended into Sydney. In both cities, Ola is offering passengers free rides and giving drivers a larger portion of the fares, hoping to get more cars on the street and lure more riders to try it.
Some drivers said they were already suggesting that riders use Ola to build up a viable competitor to Uber, which has long had the Australian market to itself.
“Uber doesn’t really have a great reputation for treating people fairly,” said Oliver Ward, 39, a driver for Uber and Ola in Sydney. “It’s good to see some new competition.”
