Private hire firm Ola has been given the green light to operate tuk-tuks in Cardiff

Private hire firm Ola has been given the green light to operate tuk-tuks in Cardiff. Passengers using the app, originating from India, will be able to e-hail an electric rickshaw called a Zbee. The vehicles will be able to accommodate two passengers, travelling short distances in the city and around Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff councillors gave Ola the green light and created special conditions for private hire licensed Tuk tuks at a meeting on Tuesday.

In the report, Ola plan to run a fleet of 20 Zbees each operating 80 hours a week. A total of 30 drivers will be hired on contract each expected to work 50 hours per week. Ola say Cardiff will benefit from being the first city in the UK to host a completely zero emission shuttle run service and will help in achieving the city’s aim of 100% zero emission transport vehicles by 2022.

Founded in 2011 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola is one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies.

The firm operates in 125+ cities across India, Australia, New Zealand and the UK and has over 1.3 million drivers.

Image: Ola (launch in Liverpool)