Now, Porter looks to do an Ola in intra-city logistics

Start-up has launched its operations in Hyd with 200 mini-trucks on its platform

Hyderabad: Online logistics startup Porter.in has launched its operations in the city, the fifth metro to get its services that facilitate transport of cargo and goods within the city through an app, a la taxi-hailing firms such as Ola.

What Porter essentially does is that it connects customers who are looking to transport their goods within a city, with small commercial vehicle owners. The start-up mainly promises transparent pricing and timely delivery, thereby giving a professional touch to the otherwise largely unorgnised segment. Customers can book a trip using its mobile application available on Android platform.

Alternatively, they can do this through a telephone call as well. The booking details will automatically be sent to the nearest mini-truck driver in the locality, who will execute the order. The start-up has equipped all the drivers in its network with smartphones as they normally do not own such devices.

“Porter helps drivers increase their earnings by providing them with a wider customer base and by increasing their utilisation. In order to provide reliable and standardised services, we conduct extensive driver training and carry out driver verification along with a vehicle audit,” Pranav Goel, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Porter.in, said here.

Started with Mumbai in August 2014, the start-up has gradually expanded its services to Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai before coming to Hyderabad. At present, Porter has 1,500 vehicles across these five cities, which cumulatively make 3,000 trips a day.

In Hyderabad, it already has 200 vehicles on its platform with average daily trips numbering around 400. It intends to have around 500 vehicles within three months, eventually making 1,500 trips a day. “We are excited to offer our services in Hyderabad and optimize the last mile connectivity for both commercial vehicles and customers. The city offers huge potential in logistics,” said Goel.

Currently, Porter is offering Tata Ace and Super Ace vehicles in Hyderabad though there are other vehicles such as Tata 407 and pickup in its lineup in other cities. For Tata Ace, it charges Rs 150 for first two kilometers and thereafter, it’s Rs 15 a km, with waiting and loading charges extra.

Interestingly, the start-up is well-funded now as it has already raised $5.5 million (about Rs 37 crore) from Sequoia and Kae Capital. “We have sufficient capital in our hands to expand our operations to 10 more cities with a total fleet of 15,000 vehicles and 25,000 trips a day in a year,” Goel said.