- ByStartupStory | April 15, 2024
Auto booking app Namma Yatri, supported by Juspay Technologies, has initiated a pilot of its taxi service in Bengaluru, marking a significant expansion in its home turf. The firm revealed to YourStory that it has also soft-launched in Chennai, with an official launch slated for Tuesday, April 16. While no specific date has been confirmed for Chennai, sources suggest it will occur shortly.
“Increasing operational, engineering, marketing, and R&D costs have necessitated adjustments to our revenue model,” stated a spokesperson for Namma Yatri. “As such, we’ve introduced a subscription fee to sustainably support our drivers while continuing to offer affordable fares to our customers.”
Earlier this year, in January, Namma Yatri commenced its auto booking services in Chennai with a fleet of 10,000 drivers. The company’s taxi-hailing service is already operational in Kochi and Kolkata. In Kolkata, it operates under the name Yatri Sathi and collaborates with the state government, allowing customers to conveniently book the city’s iconic yellow taxis.
Part of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Namma Yatri maintains a commitment to fair practices in its revenue model. “Consistent with our ethos, we will not charge any commission on fares, ensuring that drivers receive the entirety of their earnings directly,” affirmed the spokesperson.
Expanding its reach further, Namma Yatri entered the New Delhi market in January 2024, with an initial fleet of 10,000 drivers facilitating smoother first and last-mile connectivity with metro services. “Our app’s integration with public transportation, particularly the metro, is aimed at providing commuters with a seamless multi-modal experience,” declared ONDC in a statement.
The app, which currently boasts 3.5 lakh drivers nationwide and serves 59.03 lakh registered users, has facilitated an impressive 3.42 crore rides since its inception. With ambitions to onboard an additional 50,000 drivers in Delhi within the next three months, Namma Yatri is poised to further enhance urban mobility and contribute to sustainable transportation solutions across India.
