Uber, the car hiring service massively popular across the globe, has just started functioning in Karachi. Commuters who wish to avoid driving during rush hour, or use public transport are always on the lookout for affordable means of travel.
With the shaky law and order situation in the country, many people usually avoid taking public buses and taxis, especially women. Cashing in on this, Dubai based service, modeled after Uber, Careem was the first to arrive in the country. Having a headstart, Careem has already built a steady user base and fine-tuned the issues any new service will face. Whether Uber will be successful or not remains to be seen. However, competition between the two is imminent.
Careem is said to be a more localized version of Uber, learning from the challenges the former faced in other countries. Since the major concern commuters in Pakistan have revolves around safety, Careem hired drivers with proper verification and background checks. A tracking option is also in place. Since majority of the user base is very tech savvy, booking a Careem makes use of an app. From start to finish, the entire process has been set to facilitate the user.
Careem, operating for some months now, has gotten enough time to understand its market and work out the details to improve it services. In the beginning, it too received its fair share of criticism. Unavailability of cars is one such complain. The service has tried to address the issue by getting more drivers on board.
Uber, on the other hand, is yet to impress the masses. While it has already become quite popular in Lahore, Karachiites are harder to please. But it has started off on the right foot by promising five free rides worth Rs. 300/- for three days as a promotion. Since nobody in Karachi likes to give up a good bargain, expect an immense increase in the number of Uber cars on the roads in the next couple of days.
Uber Pakistan Launched in Karachi: Standard Rates & Promotional Offers
Pricing Uber vs Careem – Who’s Cheaper
The next thing commuters consider after safety is the fare. How much does the ride cost. Careem has been offering Rs. 18 per km for economy cars. The business ones are slightly more expensive costing around Rs. 23 per km. However, they keep on introducing deals and promo codes to offers regular users a chance to travel on cheaper rates. For special occasions and festivals in particular, Careem comes up with discounts.
Uber charges Rs. 13.7 per km, making it the cheaper option by comparison. Since it is already a popular name abroad, the expectations from it are high. Whether it lives up to them, remains to be seen.
Quality of Cars – Who’s better
Careem has two options for you to choose from. The business option has more comfortable better cars such as Civic, Grande and city hence they cost more. Economy offers cars like Mira, Cultus, Corolla so are cheaper. For a little more cost you can also order a Careem with Wifi for on the go browsing.
First-hand experiences
The tech-savvy users of Careem often take to popular social media website Twitter to share their first-hand experience of the service. Here are some.
Weirdest @CareemPAK experience ever! The driver was on phone from 3 Talwar till Garden East. Broke a signal, got pulled over at Saddar 1/3
— Adeeqa Lalwani (@AdeeqaLalwani) August 18, 2016
this waiting / in journey thing of #careem …leaves u in all sorts of doubts and eventually pissed ! i dunno why ammi is charged 66 rs
— UMAIRICA (@Umairmirza) August 8, 2016
Half of my phone credit goes out calling #Careem captains guiding them the address & asking them to read the address on the gate 😒
— Rabiyah Tungekar (@Rabeeyah) August 5, 2016
Called a @CareemPAK and got a text saying my car has arrived, when I called the driver I found out that the driver is atleast 20 mins away.
— Meeran Aamir (@LumosNotNox) August 25, 2016
Great start of the day!
PKR250 gift from @CareemPAK.
Thanks a lot, now I spend a good day without khuwari, InshaAllah!— Bhola (@Bhola__) August 24, 2016
@CareemPAK is my saviour on a rainy day when there's a strike on mall :p pic.twitter.com/P7sFRwCiKL
— Mir Rawtah (@mirrawtah) August 20, 2016
Thank you @CareemPAK for arranging car on emergency basis, made it in time for family brunch. #IndependenceDayPK
— Мусаб ахмед юнайды (@musabj) August 14, 2016
For many the comparing game has already begun.
So #Uber Vs #Careem estimated fares from Malir Halt to Tariq road are kinda same but Uber is offering free rides 😂 pic.twitter.com/YYt5OV6uiX
— Champion Kon? (@hinasafi) August 25, 2016
I end my friendship with @GoCareem , Now @uber is my best friend.
— Ureb Arif (@Urebology) August 25, 2016
just had a ride with uber in khi.. amazing & better than careem.. bt the fact is driver r frm careem 😅😅😅😅
— Shozeb kapadia (@ShozebKapadia) August 25, 2016
Just downloaded Uber and I must say it's impressive. Locations far more precise than Careem
— Simin. (@SimiinK) August 25, 2016
Customer Service
Amid all the complaints about Careem, the efficiency of the company comes to light. The customer service is highly active especially on social media and is quick to come to the aid of those who face an issue. They take immediate action to rectify the problem, going so far as to assuring each individual how the issue won’t be repeated.
Because customers should NOT have to pay for Captain's fault. In cases like these we always reimburse our customers.
— Careem Pakistan (@CareemPAK) August 25, 2016
Hello Tuba. Could you DM us your number and Captain's name?
— Careem Pakistan (@CareemPAK) August 24, 2016
Hey Hira. Captain should not arrive before pick up location – if he does, he is penalized and that waiting charge is reimbursed
— Careem Pakistan (@CareemPAK) August 20, 2016
Uber Launch
Uber launched glamorously in Karachi on August 25th after an MOU signing at the Chief Minister’s residence. Following this leading actress Mahira Khan hopped in an Uber to take her first ride across Karachi.
Have you travelled in an Uber? Share your experience with us in the comments below.