KARACHI: Careem Pakistan has announced the launch of “Careem On-Call” which allows customers to use a phone call or an SMS to call a Careem Bike at specific locations within the city, for as low as PKR 25. The service is aimed at delivering an efficient transportation service to those who may not be using a smartphone or may not have easy access to the internet on their cell phones.
In its first phase the service has been launched with ten (10) heavy footfall pick-up locations across the city, which includes Amma Tower, Civic Centre, Cantt Station, Shaheen Complex, Karachi University Maskan Gate, Water Pump, Teen Talwar, Nipa Chowrangi, Millenium Mall and Jinnah Hospital, which will be increased in the future. Each location will have a unique code that will be used to assign a ride to each customer.
Through Careem On-Call, customers can book their rides by either calling 8990 or sending an SMS to the same number. The customer will then be directed to say or type their unique location code. Once the location has been confirmed, they will receive a message within one minute that a Captain has been dispatched to their location. In case the ride needs to be cancelled, the customer can call or send and SMS again saying that they want to cancel.
Asad Haider Khan, General Manager South, Careem, on the occasion of the launch, commented, “Pakistan even though has a growing base of internet users but has low smartphone penetration of 30%. Careem On-Call is a big step towards inclusive growth which aims to bring people with limited access to internet or smartphone, into providing easy mobility.We will be creating thousands of pickup points across Pakistan where people will be able to book a ride with a simple SMS or a call.
Careem is planning a structured framework of pick up points that would cater to the city-wide market demand to begin with, and ultimately spread Careem On-Call to the existing network of solution Careem provides across Pakistan. With Careem’s hyper-localized approach towards providing solutions based on the market dynamic, this is yet another step in the direction of easy mobility. News Desk
