Kolkata, Oct. 8 -- A new ride-hailing platform, Go Buddy, was launched in Kolkata on Thursday, with its founders pitching safety and equal access for male, female and child passengers as the app enters the city's cab-booking market just ahead of Durga Puja.

The platform offers cab bookings for men, women and children, and says it is putting emphasis on rider safety and convenience. The company described itself as a companion for riders, which it said is the idea behind the name, and said it intends to serve people from different sections of society.

Actress Ankita Mallick, who spoke at the launch, said she had been associated with the brand from its early stages.

Actor Om Sahani tied the launch to the festive season, when demand for ca...