Is OLA a 24×7 Service in India?

How To

Ola has revolutionized travel in India. Now, it is a customer-friendly and cost-effective mode of transportation using cabs, autos, and bike services across the country. The question that always rises in everyone’s mind is: Is Ola available 24×7 in India? Many people also lean towards Ola for late-night travels early in the morning for airport rides or for emergency situations. But are they always up and running around the clock?

We will cover the working hours of Ola, the number of rides available in other cities, the challenges that you may face while booking a ride, and alternative solutions if Ola is not available in the next article.

is ola a 24x7 service in India

1. Knowing Ola’s Working Hours

The Company is positioning itself as a 24×7 ride-hailing service, which allows the user to take rides at his comfort using the mobile app. However, as a platform, Ola may be 24×7. However, actually, rides available are contingent on several factors – driver availability, location, demand, and much more.

Officially, Is Ola A 24×7 Service?

Ola claims to be available 24×7, 7 days a week. That means technically, you can book a cab any time of the day. In reality, however, the availability varies immensely.

Types of Ride Services Offered by Ola and Their Availability

There are several types of ride services offered by Ola, though their availability depends on demand:

  • Ola Cabs (Mini, Prime, Prime SUV) – Usually available 24×7 in most cities.
  • Ola Auto – Less available in night.
  • Ola Bike – Sometimes not available in odd hours.
  • Ola Outstation – Booked in advance. Depends on the availability of drivers.
  • Ola Rentals – Available. There are lesser drivers available in night.

2. Availability in Metro vs. Non-Metro Cities

Ola in Major Cities

Ola is very well available 24×7 in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Because demand is quite high during nights, lots of driver activity can be found there. Thus, the ride becomes readily available very well.

Ola in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities

Ola might not be available all the time in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. There are fewer drivers per square km, and in such areas, it is really hard to find a ride at night or in the wee hours of morning.

Reasons for Variation in Ola’s Availability

  • Driver Availability – Drivers are scarce after midnight; fewer drivers operate in the late-night hours.
  • Local Rules – Most of the cities cap their ride-hailing services for some hours.
  • Demand & Supply – The more people want the service, the easier it becomes to get the service; the lesser active drivers will be there with low demand.

3. Night-Time Service: Can an Ola be Booked in the Night?

Does Ola Work at Night 24*7?

Ola operates 24×7, but getting a ride between 12 AM to 6 AM would be tougher than getting one between 6 AM to 12 AM as the service is less available at night. The number of drivers operating in your region has its own responsibilities on availability at night time because the demand is high, especially near airports, railway stations, and night-life destinations.
Safety issues that would deter the majority of drivers from picking a passenger at night.

Surge Pricing At Night

Surge pricing happens during the night. This is attributed to the rising demand because very few drivers operate at this hour. So you will be paid more for your ride, say during the weekends or nights with festivals.

Safety Tips For Those Traveling During The Night

If you order Ola in the night remember the following:

  • Share your ride details with your friend or family member.
  • Use Prime or above categories for better, safer-rated drivers.
  • Don’t pick up from an isolated pickup point.
  • Verify driver details before boarding.

4. Peak Hours vs. Off-Peak Hours

Ola services change through the day as the demand is changing.

Peak Hours (High Availability)

You’ll get an Ola easily when you are booking in rush hours, i.e., 7 AM – 10 AM & 5 PM – 9 PM. That is because the services are a lot more due to office goers and transporters.

Low Peak Hours

There are sometimes services which could not be found from midnight up to early morning hours (12 AM – 6 AM). Sometimes you experience a longer ride or higher charges in some cities.

Off-Peak Options

Book in advance for your ride. Ola allows advance booking.
You could take another ride, such as Uber or Rapido, or just hail a local taxi
Always, in case availability isn’t good, public transport is an option

5. What If Ola is Not Available?

If there are no Olas, these are other alternatives that could be used

1. Other Ride Hailing Apps

  • Uber- This is the other amazing rival, of pretty much equal level of availability.
  • Rapido – For a quick bike ride in metro cities.
  • BluSmart – In some cities, it is available for EV rides.

2. Use Local Transport

  • Auto-rickshaws – Available aplenty in most Indian cities.
  • Local taxis – Available at railway stations, airports, and other busy places.
  • Public transport – Metro, buses, or suburban trains.

3. Pre-book an Ola Ride

You can prebook an Ola. This is helpful when you need a cab at odd hours.

6. How to Book an Ola 24×7

You would definitely make sure to book an Ola even at odd hours, if you are aware of these tips:

1. Advance Booking

  • You will see a “Ride Later” option in Ola. Use this option for a scheduled trip.
  • It is suitable for an airport transfer and late night travel.

2. Walk to a More Crowded Place

  • Walk to a more crowded place to increase the likelihood of getting a ride.
  • Cab available on roads or near any busy locations.

3. Be Ready for Surge Pricing

  • Fares may be twice, triple, or even four times the normal fare at night or peak hour.
  • Before booking, check fares through Uber, Rapido, etc.

4. Choose Licensed Drivers

  • Prime and Premium cab is usually driven by licensed, good rated driver.
  • These are often much more reliable for late-night travel.

5. Contact Ola Support for Help

  • If your ride gets canceled multiple times, contact Ola’s customer support.
  • They can help find alternative options or escalate issues.

Conclusion

So, is Ola a 24×7 service in India? Technically, yes, but in reality, availability depends on location, demand, and driver activity. If you are in a metro city, you can easily get an Ola at any hour. However, in smaller towns or during late-night hours, you may have problems.

Final Takeaways:

✔ Ola is officially a 24×7 ride-hailing service.
✔ Depends on the city, availability of drivers, and demand.
✔ During some hours in the night it is little hectic to book at night.
✔ Surge pricing often happens if there are peak hour or off-hour hours.
✔ If Ola is not coming, other alternatives must be pursued.

Prebooking the rides ahead of time at late night/early morning timings will save one a lot from a chaotic and uncertain travel, or they will have other available alternatives ready by checking for advance availability.

Author Profile

Karan Singh
Karan Singh
Hi I am Karan a passionate blogger. It's almost 4.5 years when I started blog writing in 2019. I am the owner of the Readree.com. My dedication to delivering reliable information and useful tips has earned him a loyal following among tech enthusiasts seeking reliable insights and recommendations.

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