So, this is the story of a smart cab driver I met in Bangalore. 🚘
Waiting at Singasandra bus stop, a white Swift Dzire with a yellow number plate pulled up, and the driver, with a keen eye, asked, “Airport?” He not only offered me a fare half of what Uber/Ola quoted but also guaranteed a 1.5-hour ride with the AC on. Intrigued, I tried to negotiate, but he presented two choices: accept his offer or risk a higher fare if he couldn’t find another passenger. I chose the fixed price.
With his masterful eyes, he scoured each bus stop along the route, stopping at just 3 more to convince 2 more passengers, turning a regular cab ride into a shared, cost-effective journey.
As we embarked on our journey, I was amazed by his strategies:
1️⃣ Selective Scouting: He quickly scanned potential passengers at bus stops, considering factors like suitcase brand, age, expressions, group size, gender, and urgency to determine who was likely to convert.
2️⃣ Addressing Pain Points: He capitalized on the shortcomings of the bus service, such as the lack of live tracking, uncertainty about bus crowding, and longer travel times, striking a chord with passengers’ anxiety while waiting for buses.
3️⃣ Anchoring Pricing: Aware that people check Ola/Uber rates before opting for the bus, he pitched his lower cab fare using these app prices as the anchor, making it seem remarkably affordable.
4️⃣ Personal Approach: Instead of shouting from within the cab, he stepped out to engage with passengers personally, resulting in higher conversion rates.
His ingenuity ensured he earned double what Uber would’ve paid him, all while providing passengers with a more convenient and cost-effective option. 🌟
