Why open mobility network could fix Bengaluru’s ride aggregator monopoly

Cities across the world are embracing the open mobility network (OMN) to end the monopoly of big companies that act as aggregators with their predatory and exorbitant pricing.

In India, attempts have already been made in Kerala and Karnataka by building apps (Yatri and Namma Yatri, respectively) to connect passengers and taxi service providers without the heavy-handed aggregator.

“The idea is to create a mobility network where consumers will have access to multiple service providers, from individual drivers to those working under different aggregators. The immediate effect of such a network is to end the exorbitant pricing. The long-term impact is the horizantalisation of the market space for all players,” an expert who has worked on the Namma Yatri app said.