Meru Cabs, one of India’s first radio taxi service providers, today announced its partnership with eCab, a global mobile app by Taxis G7, one of Europe’s leading taxi service provider. With this partnership, Meru Cabs will provide cab services to foreign travellers in India and to Indian travellers going abroad, with eCab mobile app.
International travellers can now book Meru Cabs services through their eCab mobile app while travelling in Indian cities where Meru offers its services. On the other hand, domestic travellers visiting countries where eCab services are available – major cities in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, and Canada, can avail eCab partners cab service using eCab App. Both domestic and international travellers can book, track and make cashless payments by using the Meru and eCab mobile app. The app is currently available only for Android and iOS
“We are proud to become the first Indian radio taxi player to forge a global alliance and become a part of eCab alliance, driven by prestigious Taxis G7 which enjoys strong presence across key international markets. With this alliance, Meru Cabs will now extend its array of services to international commuters visiting India through the eCab mobile app,” said Siddhartha Pahwa, CEO, Meru Cabs.
The service is currently available in six Indian cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune, and is expected to be available in all 23 cities that Meru covers by end of this week.
“This partnership will increase the reach of our five million customers, a large chunk of which is mobile, to use the services of eCab in the countries where it is operating,” said Prem Kalliath, COO of Meru Cabs.
Commenting on the strategic alliance, Laurent Kennel, CEO, eCab said, “With our shared commitment towards customer centricity, technology and innovation, we believe there are synergies between the companies. Through this partnership, international passengers can now avail a global, affordable and convenient taxi travel experience via our international network of partners.”
This alliance is purely a strategic one which involves technology exchange but no financial transactions have taken place between both the parties, as a result of this partnership.
eCab is a startup incubated with Taxis G7 – Europe’s leading radio taxi hub that has roots back till 1905 and was founded by André Colonna Walewski, the Great Grandson of Napoleon Bonaparte. It has a fleet of 13000 affiliated taxis, and transports 20 million passengers annually. By the end of 2015, eCab will expand to cover 50 cities, in 9 countries, across 3 continents with 40,000 taxis.
Launched in 2007 by Neeraj Gupta, Meru Cabs is backed by India Value Fund – a premier India centric private equity fund. In December 2013, Meru Cabs launched its MeruGenie service in Hyderabad, followed by Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, Chennai & Mumbai. Currently, Meru Cabs covers across 23 cities in India and is growing at about 25% month-on-month since the past 9 months.
In March, this year, the company raised $50 Mn (over INR 300 Cr) funding round led by its existing investor, India Value Fund Advisors (IVF). India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA) had 80% stake in Meru Cabs, prior to this round.
Earlier this month, the company told CNBC-TV18 that it is looking to raise close to $150 Mn in the near future.
Last month, the company launched its new ride-sharing service, called Carpool, for its customers across India. It connects people who are looking for a ride and people who are offering a ride on the same route.
