Jindal Group Enters Ride-Hailing Market with Trevel, Aiming to Compete with Ola, Uber, and Rapido

The Jindal Group is making a move into India's urban transportation sector with the introduction of Trevel, a chauffeur-driven cab service. This new venture aims to provide city and airport transportation, positioning the group to compete with established giants like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.

Sahil Jindal, Managing Director at Jindal Group, spearheaded the launch of Trevel. According to Jindal's LinkedIn post, Trevel's concept arose from discussions identifying shortcomings in the ride-hailing experiences offered by existing platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The company, based in Gurugram, has been quietly operating for the past month.

Trevel's initial operations utilize a fleet of MG Windsor electric vehicles, providing scheduled city rides and airport transportation. The company intends to broaden its vehicle offerings in the coming months. Information available on its website indicates that Trevel offers pre-booked, chauffeur-driven electric cab services with predetermined pickup times and transparent pricing. Currently, bookings are handled through the website, with Android and iOS mobile applications anticipated soon.

The pilot program involved a limited number of rides exceeding 50. Trevel operates on a fleet-led model, where vehicles are either owned by the company or managed through partners adhering to its operational framework.

Trevel's arrival occurs at a time of upheaval in the premium electric cab sector, following BluSmart's service suspension. BluSmart, known for its all-electric ride-hailing platform focused on premium customers, had expanded to several cities before ceasing operations. BluSmart's exit has created opportunities for new entrants in the electric chauffeur-driven transportation market.

While Trevel is focused on electric mobility, it will also directly compete with Ola, Uber, and Rapido in the broader urban cab market, particularly in the areas of airport transfers and scheduled rides. Unlike app-based aggregation models, Trevel is currently employing a booking-centric approach with a carefully managed fleet deployment.

Jindal stated that the company dedicated six months to aligning its fleet, technology, and operational processes before launching. The company plans to release more information regarding expansion plans, vehicle additions, and platform rollout in the coming months.

Trevel's strategy appears to leverage synergies within the Jindal Group, potentially utilizing its access to MG electric vehicles. This approach could be more about maximizing group resources to boost sales than solely disrupting the market. The focus on airport pick-up and drop-off, a strategy previously used by BluSmart to mitigate losses, now faces its own set of challenges. Further details and growth projections are expected after a trial of the service. The electric vehicle cab industry involves numerous factors, including access to charging stations, charging speed, and charging costs, which have recently presented difficulties for many operators. MG, also owned by Jindal, has already introduced subscription models starting at Rs 3.50 per kilometer to encourage adoption. This latest move appears to build upon that foundation, providing a viable business model for both current and prospective cab owners.