Ola, Uber resume services in India without ACs ⁠— and both riders and drivers have to wear masks

• Ola and Uber will be operational in green and orange zones but will remain suspended in red zones.
• Ola has released a set of guidelines for drivers and riders to follow called 10 Steps to a Safer Ride.
• It is compulsory for drivers and riders to wear masks. Drivers will have to authenticate themselves wearing a mask through a selfie at the start of every ride.

As the relaxation from lockdown begins from today (May 4), cab aggregators are set to resume services. Indian ride-hailing unicorn Ola will be operational again in over 100 cities which are in green and orange zones but won’t operate in red zones.

Uber too will resume services. “If you are booking a car or an Auto ride, to maintain social distancing, we recommend not more than two riders should travel at a time, besides the driver. No one should also be seated right next to the driver,” said the company’s statement.

Meanwhile, Ola has released a set of guidelines for drivers and riders to follow called 10 Steps to a Safer Ride. It is compulsory for drivers and riders to wear masks. Drivers will have to authenticate themselves wearing a mask through a selfie before the start of every ride. “Drivers and customers are being given the option of cancelling a ride if the other is not wearing a mask to ensure their own safety as well that of subsequent users,” said Ola.

But even as summers set in, Ola will not allow cabs to switch on ACs so as to avoid recirculation of air. Meanwhile, Uber said that riders can ask drivers to switch on AC in ‘fresh air’ mode only.

Not more than two people will be allowed in a cab who will also be urged to sit by the windows on the rear of the car. Even if customers have luggage, they will have to load and unload it themselves so as to practice social distancing.

“As we reopen our platform to millions of citizens for their commute and driver-partners whose livelihoods are dependent on serving mobility needs, safety of both continues to be the topmost priority for us. 10 Steps to a Safer Ride brings together customers and driver-partners to adopt 10 best hygiene practices together for minimizing the risks of the Coronavirus on themselves and the community,” said Anand Subramanian, Ola’s spokesperson.

During the 40-day lockdown in India, Ola and Uber drivers had lost their daily income. Both the companies had also launched funds to financially support their driver partners.

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