For pvt & govt, urban mobility is the ride to book

With new players, biz models, ride hailing in high gear

- VAISHALI DAR

FROM PREMIUM SERVICES like Alyte and Uber Black to inclusive models like Rapido and government-backed cooperatives, the business of ride hailing apps is seeing high momentum. Not only is the segment attracting new players, it has diversified into subscription models, parcel delivery and long-distance travel as well, including motor homes.

Mahindra Logistics is the latest entrant into the premium mobility space with Alyte (formerly Meru Cabs), a tech enabled cab service focused on high-end customer experience. Launched in Delhi-NCR this August, Alyte operates two service tiers—Alyte Privé, a fleet of electric Mahindra XUV400s offering airport transfers with professional chauffeurs, and Alyte Select, with sedans and SUVs for travel across six cities -Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. Both categories boast a 98% fulfillment rate, and the company aims to double its mobility business in three years.

"In the mobility business, consistency defines credibility. With Alyte, we’re building a full-service, premium platform where every touchpoint, from booking to chauffeur service, reinforces trust," Hemant Sikka, MD & CEO, Mahindra Logistics, told FE, adding that expansion will be accelerated within Delhi and other metro cities, supported by a significant increase in fleet capacity.

"The premium cab-hailing segment in India represents a market of ₹2,000 crore across the top six cities and continues to expand at a strong pace year-on-year. Demand within this category has shown consistent double-digit growth, driven by rising expectations for trust, comfort, and premium mobility experiences in the urban mobility landscape," added Sikka.