Bengaluru auto unions' ‘Namma Yatri’ app is live; first reviews on Twitter out

The newly launched ‘Namma Yatri’ app - by the Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union - in Bengaluru is live now and mixed reviews were shared on Twitter.

Published on: Nov 5, 2022, 11:36:13 IST

By Yamini C S

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The much-awaited app from the Bengaluru's Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union (ARDU) - the ‘Namma Yatri’ app - is live now and the first reviews are coming in. The app is set to counter ride-hailing giants like Ola and Uber amid complaints over unfair work practices and excessively high fares, among others. The app - developed in partnership with the Beckn Foundation backed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani - had over 10,000 downloads while still in development. It has been downloaded over 50,000 times, as on Saturday.

The Namma Yatri app has been developed in partnership with the Beckn Foundation backed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. (PTI)

A Twitter user posted a thread on his experience with the ‘Namma Yatri’ app. “Booked an auto using the Namma Yatri app. Cheaper than Ola, Uber, Rapido. Auto is on its way. Let's see how it goes!"

"Boarded the auto. All good so far. Reached perfectly on time, paid directly to the driver. Wonderful experience. 10/10 will recommend,” he added.

READ | Auto union launches ‘Namma Yatri’ app to counter Ola, Uber

Another user also recommended the Namma yatri app, saying, “Try Namma Yatri. You might not always get one at peak times, but when you do, there's a crazy difference in prices.”

A former BBMP corporator from the JDS wrote, “Various aggregators have been exploiting auto drivers as well as commuters. The Namma Yatri App launched by our very own auto drivers is a step in the right direction. I fondly remember the time when I conversed with them to understand their hardships while distributing uniforms.”

However, not all were wowed. “Tried out the hyped up Namma Yatri, and a quick comparison with fares of Ola and Uber, just to realize that Namma Yatri is the most expensive! Cheers to the archaic agenda of our Admin, another rhetoric! Still awaiting a sustainable solution. @tdkarnatakab @Tejasvi_Surya," a tweet read.

Another also echoed the sentiments, writing, “#NammaYatri is charging a lot. I thought we'll get a fair price from this new app. But looks like @rapidobikeapp & @Olacabs are way better now. Rather than implementing new app, #NammaYatri auto drivers should focus on their behaviour and meter."

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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