App offering both private hire vehicles and black cab services enters the UK

Ola, one of India’s most popular transportation platforms, has announced their plan to enter the UK.

Ola has obtained licences to operate in South Wales and Greater Manchester primarily with operations launching in South Wales by September 2018.

This will be the only ride-hailing app present in the UK that offers passengers the option of private hire vehicles (PHVs) and black cabs through one platform, which in the future will see additional transportation options incorporated for greater passenger choice.

The company is working with local authorities across the UK to expand nationwide by the end of 2018.

Ola aims to lead the industry with its approach to passenger safety including DBS screened drivers and processes such as 24/7 voice support, options to share ride details with emergency contacts and in-app emergency features.

Bhavish Aggarwal, co-Founder and CEO of Ola, said: “Ola is excited to announce its plans for the UK, one of the world’s most evolved transportation markets. This will be a fantastic place to do business and we look forward to providing a responsible, compelling, new service that can help the country meet its ever demanding mobility needs. We look forward to our continued engagement with policymakers and regulators as we expand across the country and build a company embedded in the UK.”

The entry into the UK follows its successful launch in Australia in February 2018, where it now operates in seven major cities. Ola now conducts 1 billion rides each year globally, with more than 1 million drivers and 125 million customers in over 110 cities.