1. Problem Understanding

Estimate the number of daily cab aggregator rides (Ola + Uber) in Mumbai.

This is a city-level service usage guesstimate using a top-down approach.

2. Approach Summary (Top-Down)

Population → Working population → Daily travelers → Share using cab apps → Rides per person → Total rides/day

3. Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Mumbai population

Use metro region figure: ~20 million people

Step 2: Identify the working population

Typically 55–60% are in the productive age group (18–60).

Assume ~60%.

Working population =
20M × 60% ≈ 12 million people

Step 3: Estimate daily commuters

Not everyone travels daily (students, WFH, homemakers).

Assume 70% of working-age people commute daily.

Daily commuters =
12M × 70% ≈ 8.4 million commuters/day

Step 4: Share using Ola/Uber

Mumbai’s main commute modes are:

• Local trains
• BEST buses
• Autos
• Office transport

Cab aggregators form a small but important share.

Reasonable assumption: 5–6% of daily commuters use Ola/Uber.

Take 5%.

Cab app users/day =
8.4M × 5% ≈ 420,000 people

Step 5: Rides per user per day

Most users take:

• 1 ride (one-way)
• Some take 2 rides (office commute both ways)

Use a blended average: 1.3 rides per user

Daily rides =
420k × 1.3 ≈ ~546,000 rides/day

Step 6: Add airport + night-life + tourists

These contribute extra rides beyond daily commuting.

Add ~10% buffer for these categories:

10% of 546k ≈ 55k

Step 7: Total Ola/Uber rides per day in Mumbai

546k + 55k ≈ ~600,000 daily rides

4. Final Answer

Mumbai sees about 550,000–600,000 Ola/Uber rides per day.

(This aligns well with typical big-city ride volumes.)

5. Interviewer-Ready Summary

• Population → 20M
• Working-age → 12M
• Daily commuters → ~8.4M
• Ola/Uber users → ~5% → 420k
• Avg rides/person → 1.3
• Daily rides → ~550k
• Add airport/tourists → +10%
• Final: ~550k–600k rides/day