Photo via this Facebook set
Finally took a ride in a Nano Cab. It really says something for the marketing behind a cheap, tiny car that the kid saw this as a treat. He has literally counted every Nano he sees on the streets since they came out. I think it’s 18.
So, how’s the Nano itself? The official number is (+94) 11 2 676 767. I didn’t order so can’t comment on that. Our fare was from Dehiwela (William Grinding Mills) to Kollupitiya (near McDonalds, or is that Bamba?) and it cost Rs. 274. Which is about what you’d pay for a trishaw.
The Nano sounds a bit like a trishaw from the outside, with an engine placed near the back. The driver said it was two cylinders, and I think it has about 620 cc. The thing runs fine, normal speed, no jerks or delays. Inside it’s actually quite roomy, though you do feel that the doors are rather thin. There’s A/C.
When the car hits bumps you feel it, but besides that it’s a comfortable experience. Also way, way, quieter than a trishaw, way less odorous (more odifying?) and perceptibly less dangerous. They also give you a printed receipt, which is nice.
Meter tuks have gotten extremely dodgy lately. The services don’t return calls and the outstation drivers, growing accustomed to Colombo, have started driving like dicks. Nano Cabs are a good alternative, but they still seem over booked. We’ve been trying for weeks and only just got a ride.
That’s the power of innovation I guess. Cheap can have value if it’s done right.
I’m cheap too. Ride me.
wow seems nice. but not still in Kandy. So I will have to wait sometime to experience this
They are reasonably priced, but the plus points stop just about there. I took a ride about a month back…….
When I called them, they said they will call back and confirm in 5 minutes. No call, 20 minutes later I called back, they again said they will call back and confirm within 5 minutes. Surprise surprise, no call so I went downstairs after about 20 minutes to catch a trishaw from the road, and lo behold, there is a Nano waiting!
I was looking forward to paying by credit card, as trumpeted by their marketing, but the driver said they have not been issued with the card machines/they have not been trained to use them. I said take me to Hill Street – Dehiwala, and he asked me where Hill Street is. I told him to use the GPS and find out, he replied saying that they haven’t been trained to use that either, and it just shows the current location of the car. The driver noticed I wasn’t too chuffed, so he went on to diss the call centre people. Oh and they are issued with a walkie talkie system, not mobile phones, so the drivers can’t directly call the customer when they are outside the house or whatever.
For a taxi, the Nano is more than adequate. I hope the poor service and implementation doesn’t kill it off as mode of public transport.
Maybe it has difficulty with hills?
I’ve seen a few other Nano cab services (two others I think) but I don’t remember their numbers. Will look out for them again. Tried calling the one you’ve written about like 5 times, but they never had any available cabs.