Amid concerns, Bengaluru auto drivers’ own ride-hailing app goes live on November 1

Namma Yatri, the ride-hailing app put together by auto-rickshaw drivers, is officially launching on November 1 in what promises to be a David vs Goliath battle in Bengaluru’s mobility space.

The app was released on Google Play in early October and has seen more than 10,000 downloads in the testing phase.

Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU), which is behind Namma Yatri, hopes the app will beat mobility behemoths Uber and Ola at their own game.

A separate app for drivers has also seen more than 10,000 downloads.

Uber and Ola have been in the eye of a storm for fleecing auto-rickshaw passengers and short-changing drivers. The Transport Department says the ride-hailing firms do not have a licence to operate. The matter is currently before the High Court of Karnataka.