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Tag: Namma Yatri

  • One App, Many Rides: Metro & Bus Tickets Now on Namma Yatri and Tummoc

    In order to provide smooth first- and last-mile connectivity for commuters, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) have now opened up their transport data, enabling two apps, Namma Yatri and Tummoc. For more than ten years, this requirement has been in place.

    Users of both apps may now purchase a single ticket that covers the full trip and organise their entire travel thanks to new capabilities. For example, a commuter can use either application to plan their route and purchase a single ticket for the full trip if they are required to use all three forms of transportation (autorickshaw, bus, and metro).

    The apps create a synchronised travel schedule by using real-time data from buses and metro trains that run along the commuter’s route. Although real timing may be impacted by variables like traffic, this ideally enables commuters to access each public transport option right after disembarking from the previous one.

    Why it got Delayed?

    The fact that BMTC and BMRCL had not made their data publicly available was a barrier to the development of this function. However, this has since been resolved via the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), a widely accepted open data standard for public transportation that contains stop, route, and schedule information.

    BMTC has been supplying the platform with static data thus far, but it intends to start sharing real-time data shortly. At the moment, Namma Yatri provides trip planning that combines metro lines with auto-rickshaw services.

    Tummoc has begun the services, but Namma Yatri has not yet gone live. Along with comparable capabilities, Tummoc lets users monitor how much carbon emissions they reduce by opting for public transit rather than driving a private vehicle.

    After winning the Enroute: A Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Challenge, which was organised by WRI, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), and Villgro, Tummoc and Namma Yatri collaborated to develop these functionalities and were awarded a INR 30 lakh grant in August 2024.

    In Bengaluru, Every Minute is Important-Kharge

    Minister of Electronics, IT, BT, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj Priyank M. Kharge underlined the significance of these measures in tackling last-mile connection problems. In Bengaluru, travel is measured in hours rather than kilometres. “We recognise the issue and are dedicated to finding a solution,” he stated.

    With a 12% growth rate last year, Bengaluru is among the cities with the fastest rates of urbanisation in the world. “The city loses an estimated INR 20,000 crore annually as a result of lost time in traffic, which has a direct impact on production. Projections show we will grow by 8.5% annually over the next decade,” he added.

    He asserted that, in contrast, Delhi and Mumbai reportedly lose INR 60,000 crore and INR 40,000 crore yearly, respectively. Kharge added that the government wants to see 70% of the city’s population use public transit by 2030, compared to the current percentage of less than 50%.

    In light of this, he stated that the introduction of these integrated elements is a big step in promoting the broader use of public transit.

  • Rapido Plans to Extend Its Reach to 500 Cities

    Capital-rich transportation giant Rapido has revealed aspirations to grow from its existing presence in 120 locations to 500 nationwide. According to a statement from the firm, the growth plan will begin in February and be implemented progressively in several phases, with the goal of meeting the various transportation demands of its consumers. The startup’s initial rollout would focus on states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. After that, it would provide its services to other states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. On the fringes of the 2025 Bharat Mobility Expo, the announcement was made. The schedule for carrying out the expansion plans is unclear, though. “Our expansion to 500 cities is a testament to our commitment to empowering individuals and building a more connected India,” said Pavan Guntupalli, cofounder of Rapido, adding that the platform has over 1.3 Cr captains (riders) earning over INR 15,000 Cr.

    Expansion Aligns With Recently Raised Funding

    After obtaining $200 million in its Series E fundraising round, led by current investor WestBridge Capital, which boosted the ride-hailing startup’s valuation to $1.1 billion, Rapido became a unicorn six months prior to the growth plan. Rapido claimed at the time that the investment will help the company grow its business throughout India. Rapido, which was founded in 2015 by Guntupalli, Rishikesh SR, and Aravind Sanka, mostly works in the auto and bike taxi industries. In December 2023, it launched a subscription model and entered the taxi services market. Additionally, it uses Rapido Local to provide peer-to-peer distribution services.

    Financial Dynamics of Rapido                                        

    According to the business, 3.6 million rides are made every day, and more than 200 million rides have been made in 120 locations so far. In the fiscal year 2023–2024 (FY24), Rapido’s operating revenue increased 46% year over year (YoY) to INR 648 Cr, while its net loss decreased 45% YoY to INR 371 Cr. The startup faces competition from established firms like Uber and Ola, as well as up-and-coming firms like Namma Yatri, which is supported by Google.

    Namma Yatri Has More Than One Crore Users

    Even as it expands into more recent Tier 2 and 3 cities, Uber’s rival Namma Yatri, an interoperable ride-hailing app on the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has surpassed the milestone of 1 crore registered users. 7.49 crore journeys from various cities, including Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Tumkuru, and other states, have been accomplished by the ride-hailing app. As a result, as of January 18, 2025, drivers earned a total of INR 1,206 crore. Beginning in Bengaluru in November 2022, Namma Yatri has spread to a number of states, including Tier II and Tier III cities like Asansol, Cuttack, Mysuru, Tumkuru, Siliguri, and Bhubaneswar.

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  • Namma Yatri, an Indian Brand, Is Eyeing the American Market

    According to reports, the ride-hailing app Namma Yatri, based in Bengaluru, is looking into entering the American market.

    An article in a well-known media outlet states that the firm is negotiating with various US unions in an effort to distinguish itself from industry heavyweights like Lyft and Uber.

    In addition, the article stated that the company’s entry into the US market will be backed by Juspay, which separated Namma Yatri into its own entity in April of this year.

    Juspay has recently stated its intentions to expand into international markets, including the United States, and received a payment aggregator license from the Reserve Bank of India.

    Obstacles in the Western Market

    Because the taxi industry is a very low-margin business, it is a free market in the USA, and anyone who has a superior product can enter it. The question is, however, whether they will be able to maintain it because of the circumstances. Not only that, but Uber and Lyft are the two companies that dominate the market in the United States. When compared to the situation in India, the drivers in the United States are in the same position.

    It is impossible for businesses to enter a new market without first lowering their prices, and if the prices are lowered, the driver will not obtain any profit from the transaction. In order to attract investors, businesses that invest a significant amount of capital in a market must also guarantee a certain rate of return on their investment. Namma Yatri will face competition from companies such as Uber, Didi, Grab, and Lyft if it decides to enter the market in the United States. On the other hand, at a time when there is some unhappiness among drivers and customers, the Indian company will be able to gain an advantage and take off thanks to the relationship with unions.

    The Indian Market Continues to Be the Primary Focus at Present

    Namma Yatri’s primary focus continues to be on increasing its reach within India, even if discussions and negotiations on expansion in the United States are still underway.

    Karnataka (Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Tumakuru), Kerala (Kochi), West Bengal (Kolkata, Asansol-Durgapur, and Siliguri), Telangana (Hyderabad), Tamil Nadu (Chennai), and Delhi are the states in which it is currently actively operating.

    Blume Ventures and Antler led the pre-Series A funding round, which raised $11 million (approximately INR 91 crore) a month ago. Sundar Pichai-led tech behemoth Google and other investors also participated. This development comes right one month after the company acquired the aforementioned funding, indicating Namma Yatri’s future growth plans.

    Namma Yatri Parent Raises $11 Million from Google, Blume Ventures, and Others
    Moving Tech Innovations Ltd., the company behind community-led mobility apps Namma Yatri and Yatri Sathi, has raised $11 million (INR 92 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • Namma Yatri Zero-Commission Cab Service Is Now Live in the Delhi-National Capital Region!

    In Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Moving Tech Innovations, the parent company of Namma Yatri, has officially launched its new lifelong zero-commission cab service called “Yatri”. The app, which provides community-driven travel solutions and is part of the ONDC Network, has seen substantial expansion with the introduction.

    Following a successful auto pilot, Yatri, India’s first open and community-driven cab and auto service app, has launched its cab services on a larger scale. Using a zero-commission strategy, the app aspires to increase driver profits by 15-20% while providing inexpensive transportation. Improved vehicle maintenance and enhanced safety are two benefits of this model’s cutting-edge features.

    Transport choices are becoming more accessible and affordable thanks to ONGC’s network-centric approach and open design. For drivers making more money, it levels the playing field. The Chief Business Officer of ONDC, Shireesh Joshi, expressed the organization’s continued dedication to facilitating community-driven projects that prioritise people and propel India towards a future of intelligent, efficient, and inclusive transportation solutions.

    Fully Open-Source, Open Network, and Open Data Platform

    Yatri is a platform that runs on three pillars: open source, open network, and open data. The service provides affordable Auto, AC Mini, AC Sedan, and AC XL Cabs and incorporates dynamic booking and fast dispatch procedures. Food, grocery, and e-commerce are all part of the ONDC Network, which is an effort to consolidate several forms of transportation.

    “In the middle of the country, we’re thrilled to be expanding our taxi services. Dedicated to improving the lives of both drivers and people, Yatri goes beyond being just an app. It is a movement. Yatri encourages Samaaj, Sarkar, and Bazaar to work together closely so that the city can become more empowered and linked. Electric Autos & Cabs in Delhi NCR will not collect any subscription fees or commission till March 2026”, according to Shan M S, Co-Founder of Moving Tech, as part of their commitment to support the EV goal.

    Google Realising the Potentials of Moving Tech

    Namma Yatri’s parent, Moving Tech, has also received funding from Google. New options, such as rentals and rapid travel, were recently introduced to Namma Yatri’s service.

    To help speed up the acceptance of digital services in the crucial foreign market, Google has already stated its intention to invest $10 billion in India over the next five to seven years, beginning in 2020.

    In April, Namma Yatri formally separated from its parent firm, Juspay, to become Moving Tech. This new mobility company is headed by Magizhan Selvan, CEO, and Shan M. S., COO, both of whom were previously with Juspay.

    Namma Yatri faces stiff competition in India from services like Uber, Ola, and Rapido- funded by Swiggy. With Google’s help, Namma Yatri might soon grow to incorporate things like carpooling and bike taxis, even if they aren’t available at the moment.

    Namma Yatri’s founders have stated that the company will utilise the additional capital to expand its engineering and research and development capabilities, as well as to provide other forms of transportation, such as buses.

    Namma Yatri Parent Raises $11 Million from Google, Blume Ventures, and Others
    Moving Tech Innovations Ltd., the company behind community-led mobility apps Namma Yatri and Yatri Sathi, has raised $11 million (INR 92 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • Namma Yatri Parent Secures $11 Million in Funding from Google, Blume Ventures, and Others

    Moving Tech Innovations Ltd., the company behind community-led mobility apps Namma Yatri and Yatri Sathi, has raised $11 million (INR 92 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round. Google and a number of other investors joined Blume Ventures and Antler in leading the round.

    The money will be put into research and development, new products, and technology so that drivers can be more empowered, public transport can be more integrated, and the customer experience can be better.

    Through direct-to-driver and multimodal transportation models, Moving Tech aims to increase driver earnings while providing reliable, affordable, seamless, and sustainable mobility solutions for all, according to a statement from the company.

    The mobility division of Juspay, which was backed by Softbank, was spun off into Moving Tech in April 2020. Former Juspay employees Shan M S and Magizhan Selvan are at the forefront of the newly formed mobility company.

    Magizhan Selvan and Shan M S, Co-founders of Moving Tech, said, With our people-first approach, our goal is to build empathetic products and tech that are 10x better. By collaborating with Samaaj (Community), Sarkar (Government), and Bazaar (Business), we aspire to create an impact similar to UPI in India and Linux worldwide. This funding will enable us to innovate and grow further.

    So, What Exactly is Namma Yatri?

    Namma Yatri, which began its operations in November 2022, is a transportation app that competes with Rapido, Ola, and Uber. Drivers could retain the whole fee on Namma Yatri, in contrast to rivals, who usually take a 30% cut.

    However, drivers who wished to list their services on the app started to pay a monthly fee in 2023. Up to 10 journeys each day cost the drivers INR 3.5 per trip, while an unlimited subscription costs INR 25. According to the company’s accessible dashboard, Namma Yatri has 73.9 lahks registered consumers and 4.19 lakh drivers who have earned INR 714.03 crore from 4.63 crore trips completed thus far.

    Namma Yatri, Accelerating Growth by Dogging Sector Giants

    Namma Yatri became the first to implement the direct-payment concept in Bengaluru. Afterwards, other major ride-hailing companies including Rapido, Ola, and Uber have shown interest in implementing this strategy to save GST fees.

    Namma Yatri first appeared in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumkur, and Kochi when it was introduced as the Yatri app. In Kolkata, it was initially introduced as Yatri Saathi. The business has just extended its operations to Chennai, where it now lets users order “metro tickets” online.

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