Namma Yatri pilots taxi-hailing service in Bengaluru

Namma Yatri launches cab services in Bengaluru

Namma Yatri, the zero-commission auto-hailing service, is now piloting taxi services in Bengaluru. The official launch is expected next week, sources have told Moneycontrol.

The Namma Yatri app in Bengaluru offers two types of taxis — Eco, which is non-AC, while Comfy cabs will be air-conditioned.

"The cab services are presently at the testing phase or driver onboarding phase. We will see more drivers coming into the platform soon," a source told Moneycontrol.

Namma Yatri did not respond to Moneycontrol's queries but some of the users said they were able to book cabs for rides within Bengaluru.

Its entry into cab services, which are dominated by Ola and Uber, is likely to be a relief for drivers, who are upset over declining incentives and earnings. The firm has, so far, onboarded around 3,5oo cab drivers on its platform, sources said.

Fintech firm Juspay, in collaboration with Nandan Nilekani's BECKN Foundation and with the support of Bengaluru’s Auto Rickshaw Driver’s Union (ARDU), launched the Namma Yatri app in November 2022, promising an alternative to Ola and Uber, which take a 30-40 percent commission.

Recently, the firm spun off the mobility business into a separate firm called "Moving Tech Innovations Limited".

Namma Yatri was initially launched in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Kochi under the name Yatri app. In Kolkata, it was launched as Yatri Saathi and the firm recently launched in Chennai.

On February 29, Juspay launched Mana Yatri in Hyderabad, providing both autorickshaw and cab services.

The firm is likely to follow a similar "zero-commission" model for cab services with a subscription feature.

The firm has been experimenting with subscription payments, where the app will offer one "Daily Unlimited" plan at just Rs 25 a day, allowing unlimited rides, with the first free ride.

Alternatively, the “Daily Per Trip” plan charges the drivers Rs 3.50 per trip for up to 10 trips daily, with rides beyond that being free.

After Namma Yatri launched a subscription model for drivers to sustain its no-commission strategy, Ola, Uber, and Rapido have also begun testing similar features.