Bengaluru’s transport landscape is witnessing a significant shift as the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath (Karnataka State Driver’s Council) collaborates with Agnibhu Technologies to introduce ‘Nagara Metered Auto,’ an autorickshaw hailing service available on the website Nagaraa.com. This initiative, launched on Monday, aims to offer meter fare rides similar to the Namma Yatri service.
K. Somashekar of the Karnataka Rajya Chalakara Parishath announced that the platform allows users to book rides at government-fixed fares: ₹30 for the first 2 km and ₹15 for each subsequent km, based on the meter reading. “There will be no surge pricing or commission, though drivers might need to pay a small subscription fee,” Somashekar stated. The initial phase targets enrolling at least 1,000 drivers, with only autorickshaws featuring calibrated meters certified by the State Legal Metrology Department eligible for enrollment.
The project, a collaboration between Agnibhu Technologies, BrandPride Mobility, and Bengaluru’s professional autorickshaw drivers, offers a streamlined booking process. Commuters must visit Nagaraa.com to book a ride. Upon acceptance, the commuter provides the driver with an OTP, and the driver starts the trip by activating the auto meter and using the app’s navigation.
Upon trip completion, the driver enters the traveled distance on the site, and the passenger pays the fare displayed on the meter, certified by the Legal Metrology Department. Payments can be made directly to the driver in cash or via UPI. Additionally, passengers can book a ride by street-hailing and scanning the driver’s QR code, explained Niranjanaradhya N., CEO of BrandPride Mobility Pvt. Ltd.
This launch follows several other attempts by transport unions in Bengaluru to compete with major ride-hailing apps. In 2017, the JD(S)-backed Namma TYGR cab aggregator was introduced but failed to succeed. In November 2022, the Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) launched the Namma Yatri app with Juspay.
The same year saw the launch of the Peace Auto Union’s Rook app, which is no longer functional. In September 2023, ARDU introduced MetroMitra for last-mile connectivity from metro stations, though it has yet to gain traction.
The ‘Nagara Metered Auto’ initiative aims to provide a transparent and fair pricing model, enhancing the commuting experience for Bengaluru’s residents while supporting the local autorickshaw driver community.
