Why the Bangalore auto unions boycotted Namma Yatri app?
Due to the exorbitant commissions charged by Ola and Uber, Bangalore’s Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union developed the app Namma Yatri in 2022 in partnership with Juspay. It became widely popular within months as over 10,000 auto drivers joined the app. Currently over 1.05 lakh rides out of 4.5 lakhs in Bangalore are processed via Namma Yatri app.
All was going well but yesterday the auto union ended their partnership with Juspay over the app’s monetization strategy. Since September, 2023 Namma Yatri started charging the auto drivers a subscription fees of Rs. 25 per day for unlimited rides or Rs. 3.50 per ride which the auto drivers refuse.
The auto drivers want the app to stay free of cost forever. This is the major cause of rift between them causing the auto union to boycott it. Keeping the app free of cost isn’t feasible as running it requires manpower, investments in technology, R&D, marketing and customer service support. Another grievance of the auto drivers was that Juspay is taking over greater control of the way the app runs significantly reducing the auto union’s roles.
