Meru speeds ahead of Uber with its new app

By Masoom Gupte

Copying, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, Meru Cabs just paid Uber a big compliment. The former unveiled an app on Tuesday that allows customers to pay using a cash wallet. As the announcement was made, the emphasis on the phrase ‘RBI-compliant’ was all too obvious.

To recap, about a month back, Uber ran into trouble, with RBI stating that the practice of saving credit card details of customers is against the law and an alternate payment mechanism is needed. Sources reveal that Meru put together the cash wallet option over the past three weeks, clearly reacting to Uber’s payment issues.

Siddhartha Pahwa, CEO, Meru Cabs (left) sidestepped the question if this was in response to the rising popularity of Uber’s seamless payment mechanism. But he did say, “We are very pleased to have Uber here.

Sometimes, the leader gets complacent. It is only when others are coming from behind you, that you are forced to stay agile.”.