Ola starts ‘do not drink and drive’ initiative

Kolkata: After Uber, another national mobile app-based cab network — Ola — has tied up with a number of bars in the city to take drunk customers home following a recent Kolkata police advisory on how to end drunk-driving.

Announcing its partnership with several bars and pubs across the city such as Nocturne, What’s In D Name, Black Lounge, and Monkey Bar, OLA informed on Tuesday that special kiosks have been set up outside these bars and pubs to discourage people to drive under the influence of alcohol and facilitate them to ride with an Ola and reach home safe.

It elaborated that these bars and pubs will also proactively promote responsible drinking in their premise through eye-catching messages. “The creative will have a common message around the theme ‘PeekeMatChala’, encouraging pub-goers to take a cab home after a night out instead of driving under the influence of alcohol. The patrons will also be offered merchandise in the bar carrying Ola’s #PeekeMatChala slogan and will be provided with discount vouchers to ensure they plan a safe travel option to return home,” OLA said.

General manager (Ola) Akhil Meshram said, “Our endeavour is to lead initiatives that positively impact the society. We have been working with key stakeholders such as the local police, NGOs, and bars and pubs to raise awareness around responsible drinking and are glad that a lot of people are using our service as an alternative to ensure that they don’t drink and drive.”

Director at Nocturne and What’s In D Name Anshuman Singh said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this unique initiative with Ola where we can now encourage thousands of our patrons to take a safe ride back home in an Ola instead of driving under the influence of alcohol.”

He added, “We are happy to extend our initiative on responsible drinking in Kolkata and keen to play a proactive role in promoting the use of alternates that can help curb road accidents caused due to drunk driving."