# Meru Cabs
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{{Short description|Indian taxi-hailing company}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Meru Cabs
| logo = Meru Cabs logo.svg
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_caption = Meru_Hassle_Free
| trading_name =
| type = [Private](/source/Private_company_limited_by_shares)
| traded_as =
| industry = Transport
| foundation = {{Start date|2007|04}}
| founder = Neeraj Gupta
| location_city = [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai)
| locations = 24 cities (2015)
| area_served = India
| key_people =
| products =
| brands = Meru Cabs, MeruBiz, MeruSpot, Meru Reserve[{{cite news |title=Meru Cabs launches office commute service with no surge pricing feature |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/meru-cabs-launches-office-commute-service-meru-reserve-with-no-surge-pricing-feature-11602758178351.html |access-date=10 January 2023 |work=mint |date=15 October 2020 |language=en}}]
| production =
| services = [Vehicle for hire](/source/Vehicle_for_hire)
| revenue = {{decrease}} {{INRConvert|115.96|c}} (FY20)[{{cite news |last1=Rakheja |first1=Harshit |title=Meru Cabs Losses Spike 198% Amid Renewed Focus On B2B Mobility |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/what-the-financials-meru-cabs-losses-spike-198-amid-renewed-focus-on-b2b-mobility/ |access-date=10 January 2023 |work=Inc42 Media |date=25 September 2020 |language=en}}]
| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees = 343 (2020)[{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Supraja |date=2018-04-09 |title=Taxi operator Meru Cabs looks to turn to B2B clients |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/taxi-operator-meru-cabs-looks-to-turn-to-b2b-clients/articleshow/63675564.cms |access-date=2023-03-05 |issn=0013-0389}}] Founded by Neeraj Gupta in 2006, the company is headquartered in Mumbai. Since 2019, the company has been owned by [Mahindra Group](/source/Mahindra_Group).
Meru provides mobility services to individuals as well as business houses across India. Currently, Meru provides app-based transportation services like city rides, city rentals, airport transfers, and outstation travel, etc to individuals as well as corporate houses in 24 cities across India.
== History ==
Neeraj Gupta founded the V-Link Group in 2000. Started as a staff transportation business, V-Link Fleet Solutions expanded its business and provided services to clients in the BPO sector. In a duration of 4 years, V-Link expanded to a fleet of 1300 vehicles.
In August 2006, Maharashtra government invited tenders for running a fleet of 10,000 taxis in Mumbai in an attempt to replace the already existing black-yellow cabs (Kaali-peeli taxis). It was during this time that V-Link collaborated with venture capital firm True North, formerly known as India Value Fund (IVF), to form Meru. With initial funding of INR 500 million, Meru was launched in Mumbai offering AC cabs to India for the first time, with electronic meters and GPS/GPRS system cabs via the call booking system. In a short time, Meru scaled up its services to the top 4 cities of India with a fleet of 5000 cabs by 2010.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
By 2015, with a fleet of 9000 cabs, Meru provided its services in most of the Metros, Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities of India including – [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai), [Delhi](/source/Delhi), [Hyderabad](/source/Hyderabad), [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore), [Jaipur](/source/Jaipur), [Ahmedabad](/source/Ahmedabad), [Chennai](/source/Chennai), [Vadodara](/source/Vadodara), [Surat](/source/Surat), [Pune](/source/Pune), and [Kolkata](/source/Kolkata). Meanwhile, Meru tied-up with the 5 major airports of [India](/source/India) and became their official airport cab service provider. By 2018, Meru broadened its service offerings from city and airport rides to city rentals and outstation. Meru also tied-up with Mahindra Electric to offer transportation in [Hyderabad](/source/Hyderabad).{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
In 2019, [Mahindra & Mahindra](/source/Mahindra_%26_Mahindra) acquired a 55% stake in Meru Cabs.[{{Cite news|last=Thakkar|first=Ketan|title=M&M to acquire 55% stake in Meru for cash consideration of up to Rs 201.5 crore|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/mm-to-acquire-55-in-stake-meru-for-cash-consideration-of-up-to-rs-201-5-crore/articleshow/70932940.cms|access-date=10 November 2020}}] With this merger, Meru expanded its product offerings and added electric vehicles in its fleet. In May 2021, Mahindra & Mahindra raised its stake to 100%.[{{cite news |title=Mahindra and Mahindra fully acquires Meru Cabs, raises its stake to 100 per cent |url=https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/mahindra-and-mahindra-fully-acquires-meru-cabs-raises-its-stake-to-100-per-cent-41619841579490.html |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=1 May 2021 |language=en}}] In December 2021, Mahindra Logistics acquired 100% stake in Meru Cabs from Mahindra & Mahindra.[{{cite news |title=Mahindra Logistics acquires 100% stake in Meru |url=https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/mahindra-logistics-acquires-100-stake-in-meru-11640603374769.html |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=mint |date=27 December 2021 |language=en}}]
Meru ran a pilot project with 200 electric cars in Mumbai and Delhi.[{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=M&M-backed Meru Cabs to add electric vehicles for fleet expansion|work=Mint|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/m-m-backed-meru-cabs-to-add-electric-vehicles-for-fleet-expansion-11593488680484.html|access-date=28 January 2021}}] By 2020, Meru grew to become the second-largest ride-hailing service to include electric vehicles (EV) in its fleet.