[fhdowntheline]

Hi folks,
Is any member aware of, or using driver services on demand basis in Pune ( per day or block hour) basis ? I am looking at hiring temp drivers for chauffeuring my parents around occasionally. I have seen some apps like DriveU but not sure of the authenticity or the quality of service. Any pointers in this regard would be appreciated.

[Amsdoc]

Hi,
I have been using Indian drivers association over the last few months. Overall have been quite happy till now. They have an app that you make the booking on. You get a confirmatory sms and driver details. The drivers have all been pretty decent as well. I guess they must have been told to drive calmly and without any harsh manoeuvres.
Last few times I have been a bit let down, as in I made the booking and no one told me that it hasn't ben picked up by a driver until last minute which was very painful to adjust. Getting the driver details in an sms is necessary and not just the booking confirmation sms, which is what I found out later on. Also, easier to get bookings for 4 hours rather than longer slots.
Rates are very reasonable as well.

[tp_dominator]

I have used DriveU on two occassions now - first was while coming back after a party in Pune in January this year and second was an outstation trip to Kolhapur on Friday, the 13th of December. Both were different drivers and I was alone both times and service was like a pretty standard affair both times.

The drivers on DriveU are verified by the company with valid driving licences and they also need to wear the brand T-shirt at all times during the course of your booking. Coincidentally, DriveU is one of the services used by most car dealerships across Pune for pick up and drop facilities for service. I also found their prices to be pretty reasonable and also the fare is lower if its a round trip. I hate the smell of pan/gutkha which these drivers usually chew on but both the times, the drivers, even if they were into it, did not do it while driving or sitting in the car.

I suppose with your query since its going to be a city drive for a few hours, you can give it a try once and look for alternates if the experience is not good there.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

driver services on demand basis in Pune ( per day or block hour) basis ? I am looking at hiring temp drivers for chauffeuring my parents around

Almost everytime I'm in Pune, my pick up and local drop /outstation drop is by a driver registered with the IndianDrivers app. The vehicle is the host entity's while the driver is requested by the host via the app, and the host entity gives me the details. Over the last year or so, none of the drivers have disappointed, and only once have I had the same driver pick me up twice, approx 6 months apart. Almost on time reporting, good demeanour, skilful driving, patience to handle pick ups even in case of inordinate delays are some of my experiences with their drivers. There have been times some of them have even refused taking a tip.

I understand potential drivers go through screening, a training program, and police verification before being registered on this app.

Originally Posted by Amsdoc

have been using Indian drivers association over the last few months.

If this is the same app I've just spoken about, +1.

[Amsdoc]

Originally Posted by vigsom

If this is the same app I've just spoken about, +1.

Yes. Same app.
They have slots of 4/6/8/10 hours on it. I find that mostly the 4 hour slots get accepted easily, the longer ones take some time. Plus currently it being Holiday season, it is getting a bit difficult to get a driver as most may have been already booked but for most of my previous dealing it has worked really well.

[fhdowntheline]

Is the Indian Driver app the one posted here?

[libranof1987]

Thanks for this thread and the replies!

I had no idea such a service existed in Pune; it could have been handy on a couple of occasions. Making a note of these recommendations, thanks again!

[GTO]

We are HUGE DriveU fans. Me & the family use "DriveU Plus" which generally gives you top-rated drivers for a small extra fee (like 50 - 100 bucks usually). Out of the last 10 drivers we had, 9 were very good.

My girl is a teetotaler, so she usually drives back home. But sometimes after business meets etc., I need to call for a driver to take us home. My sister uses them for the full-day, say an 8 hour stint going to multiple places around Mumbai.

The App works well. Very smooth & seamless. And if you book, a driver will appear at the designated spot + time with almost 100% reliability.

Brownie points = Team-BHP also powers their news section .

My recent bookings:

[Y@SH]

Originally Posted by GTO

We are HUGE DriveU fans. Me & the family use "DriveU Plus" which generally gives you top-rated drivers for a small extra fee (like 50 - 100 bucks usually). Out of the last 10 drivers we had, 9 were very good.

My girl is a teetotaler, so she usually drives back home. But sometimes after business meets etc., I need to call for a driver to take us home. My sister uses them for the full-day, say an 8 hour stint going to multiple places around Mumbai.

The App works well. Very smooth & seamless. And if you book, a driver will appear at the designated spot + time with almost 100% reliability.

Brownie points = Team-BHP also powers their news section .

My recent bookings:
Attachment 2702236

Attachment 2702237

Hi GTO,

Thanks for the post, I usually use uber when my driver doesn’t turn up but being a germophobic I absolutely hate travelling in them. I have heard of the DriveU app, but wasn’t sure about the quality, courtesy and professionalism of drivers.

Just wanted to check what kind of cars would you give the driver? Are they your beater cars? Also I am concerned about them using the Ac in the car when its parked while I am away.

Any other tips on getting the best drivers on the app or any other service for Driver on DEmand would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Y@SH

Thanks for the post, I usually use uber when my driver doesn’t turn up but being a germophobic I absolutely hate travelling in them.

I hate Uber / Ola too and never use them on a night out. They totally kill the mood, vibe & buzz of a special night. That being said, I use Uber & Ola a lot during the day time for work trips.

Just wanted to check what kind of cars would you give the driver? Are they your beater cars? Also I am concerned about them using the Ac in the car when its parked while I am away.

I'm most comfortable giving the tough Thar to 3rd-party drivers, but 50% of the time, it is one of the Germans. I have also used them for test-drive cars a lot. I always monitor the driving from the front passenger seat and if any issues crop up, I ask them to pull over. Luckily, as mentioned, the DriveU "Plus" plan gives great drivers 90% of the time.

Whenever the car is parked, I take the car keys with me and tell the driver to chill (or go get a meal). Don't want any complications of misuse or theft etc. Or even anyone eating / sleeping in the car.

Any other tips on getting the best drivers on the app or any other service for Driver on DEmand would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Use DriveU Plus. Pro Tip = if you really like a driver, you can mark him as preferred for future appointments (similar to Urban Clap which is also doing a fabulous job - we use them a lot for home head / foot massages). I have only just started using this feature.

[DevendraG]

Are these apps safe when it comes to women travelling alone with these drivers or do they have an option to request women drivers?

[fhdowntheline]

Originally Posted by GTO

We are HUGE DriveU fans. Me & the family use "DriveU Plus" which generally gives you top-rated drivers for a small extra fee (like 50 - 100 bucks usually). Out of the last 10 drivers we had, 9 were very good.

The App works well. Very smooth & seamless. And if you book, a driver will appear at the designated spot + time with almost 100% reliability.

Brownie points = Team-BHP also powers their news section .

@GTO thanks for the info. Designated spot + time with 100 % reliability is because it is Mumbai. I hope it is anywhere close to this benchmark in Pune ( Pune these days gives few opportunities to talk anything positive).

[sudiptaadhya]

In Chennai, its been disappointing 50% of the times, even with plus. For longer outstation drives, we have received drivers who were dozing off at the wheel multiple times as they came after doing a full night shift.

I used to love DriveU in Bangalore, but after coming to Chennai I don’t recommend it anymore.

[abhishekjoshi84]

I have been using DriveU in Hyderabad 2-3 times a month for more than a year and it has been great so far. No complaints on anything for any of the drivers yet. I too have been using DriveU plus for last 6 months, however when I was using regular (not the plus) service there were no complaints either.

If I am going to a remote location where I suspect getting a driver allocated might be a problem or if I am going somewhere without a valet service/parking space, only then I am using round trip. Otherwise mostly use one way trips, it avoids leaving the car with the driver as well.

Pricing is not much different between the two options.
Do note that when booking one way trips, drivers might need a few more minutes that shown on the app. That is because the drivers (at least in Hyd) are using Rapido to get from their current location to pickup point adding a few minutes.

[Mlanuk]

I've booked and used DriveU in Pune ~ 10-12 times over last 18 months. Most of them were 4 - 8 hour in-city requirements ferrying family. Once we used the app for a day trip to Lavasa and back by evening, I was not sure whether this would count as a return out-station trip but their customer support confirmed that this would not be the case.

Interestingly, earlier in 2024, we used the app to get a friend's car dropped from Delhi to Chandigarh where I picked it up to head to the hills. This went off smoothly even though the driver reached the destination earlier than usual and had to wait till our flight landed. Sadly, since DriveU was not available in Chandigarh, that option was not available for the Chandigarh-Delhi stretch.