Another union-backed ride-hailing app, Nagara Metered Auto, launched in Bengaluru: Report

A new auto-rickshaw app, 'Nagara Metered Auto,' has been launched in Bengaluru by the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath and Agnibhu Technologies.

Published on: Jun 10, 2024, 18:16:17 IST

By Yamini C S

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Bengaluru city is all set to get yet another union-backed auto-rickshaw app after the success of Namma Yatri, with the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath, in collaboration with Agnibhu Technologies launching the 'Nagara Metered Auto' app today, i.e., Monday, available for download on the Google Play Store, Moneycontrol reported.

The move comes amid the union's opposition to bike taxis, ride-hailing giants such as Ola and Uber, and their high commissions. (HT Photo/for representation only)

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With the app, users can book rides and pay government-fixed fares of ₹30 for the first two kilometres (km) and ₹15 for each subsequent km, as displayed on the meter. The move comes amid the union's opposition to bike taxis, ride-hailing giants such as Ola and Uber, and their high commissions.

The app allows drivers to receive ride requests via various channels and initiate street-hailing trips using a unique QR code. Each driver is provided with a personalized webpage to share their credentials with passengers, the report said.

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“This new app will be a win-win situation for both passengers and drivers. In many cases, drivers don’t receive the correct fare even if a longer distance is covered. Now, most people prefer to book autos through an app,” Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath's K Somashekar said, as quoted by the publication.

"There will be no surge pricing or commission but drivers may need to pay a small subscription fee. (We) plan to enrol at least 1,000 drivers in the first phase. Only auto rickshaws with calibrated meters certified by the state Legal Metrology Department will be allowed for enrolment," he added.

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To use the app, commuters book a ride and share an OTP with the driver upon acceptance. The driver starts the meter upon trip commencement, navigates using the app's map, and enters the distance travelled at the trip's end. Passengers then pay the fare directly to the driver, either in cash or via UPI, based on the meter reading calibrated by the Legal Metrology Department.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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