Bengaluru’s Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) has opened up about the differences with auto-hailing platform Namma Yatri just days after Moneycontrol broke the rift between the two.
"Namma Yatri is currently purely corporate led and we, as the co-ideators, disappointingly have no specific role in its ongoing and future management," ARDU's General Secretary D Rudramurthy said in a statement.
Also, read: Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union in Bengaluru breaks up with Namma Yatri
"Our consistent stand from the day we launched the App was that it should be run on principles of a digital cooperative with inception stakeholders, including ourselves, being part of the management team," it said.
"Our association with NammaYatri started last year right from its ideation, pilot phase testing, launching the application and building vital early momentum through driver onboarding and customer acquisition. With literally zero market spend, more than 20,000 drivers and 150,000 customers downloaded the Application within 3 months of launch due to the selfless community support," it said.
The statement said: "We trust and hope Namma Yatri will be operated with fair, open, meaningful and authentic consultation with the inception stakeholders”.
It said: "We sincerely hope that Namma Yatri unambiguously acknowledges and recognises the role of generous community support it received from volunteers, drivers, and customers without which it would not be where it is today. Open Governance Model should not end up as just another fancy public relations euphemism for merely welcoming contributions from all drivers and citizens."
Multiple sources told Moneycontrol that there were some differences, including over pricing and promotions, between the Union and Payment Solutions Provider Juspay-operated app.
One of the differences between Namma Yatri and ARDU arose when the Union wanted to launch a flat Rs 40 fare in a 2km radius between Metro stations and residences/offices, a request Namma Yatri didn't oblige.
Also, read: Spotlight on zero-commission models after Namma Yatri, auto union break tie-up
Union-Agnostic approach
Namma Yatri, in a statement on December 12 said they have always been union-agnostic.
"As a community-driven mobility initiative, it collaborates with over 1 lakh drivers, the majority of whom are not affiliated with any union. We have always been union-agnostic, prioritizing community welfare over individual union interests. We engage closely with top drivers from diverse groups for their feedback. We are also formalizing our open governance model that represents the interests of both drivers and citizens" said a release from Namma Yatri (NY).
"NY is committed to growing sustainably. We charge only a small subscription to Drivers by innovating on our product, tech and map costs. Over 65,000 drivers trust us with UPI daily mandates, while others pay manually. Bengaluru drivers have collectively earned over 250 crore without paying any commission. We are committed to empowering these 1 lakh+ drivers with affordable and empathetic tech solutions, enabling them to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service to our 25 lakh+ customers. NY stands united with the entire driver community with a community-first approach. We welcome contributions from drivers and citizens toward the vision of sustainable urban mobility for all", it added.
However, ARDU has said that the Union- agnostic approach is what the union articulated as well and it has never been a gatekeeper to driver onboarding.
“To use the cover of union-agnostic approach to deny us a role and voice in the operations of Namma Yatri is morally flawed,” ARDU’s statement said.
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