Namma Yatri, India's first zero-commission ride-hailing platform built on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), is on a mission to disrupt the mobility space. With its contribution-based model, the app ensures that drivers retain 100% of their earnings, setting a precedent for a fair ride-hailing ecosystem.
“Since its inception, Namma Yatri has empowered over 5 lakh drivers and generated revenue of Rs 1,100 crore. This initiative has significantly improved financial stability and livelihoods,” said Shan MS, co-founder of Namma Yatri during a media roundtable.
The announcement follows ONDC's recently released white paper, which underscores the economic potential of open grid platforms. According to the paper, apps like Namma Yatri can have an economic impact of Rs 3 crore in the next five years. By doing away with commission, the platform is projected to save drivers Rs 20,000 crore annually, boost additional economic activity worth Rs 51,000 crore to Rs 67,000 crore and contribute Rs 1,000 crore to GST revenue through increased household spending.
According to the co-founders, Namma Yatri hopes to expand to three to five cities in the next few months and plans for international entry as well.
Dr. Pramod Verma, Chief Architect of Aadhaar and UPI said, “Namma Yatri demonstrates the transformative potential of decentralized, P2P models of open networks. This could be UPI's moment for mobility — empowering drivers, reducing costs for consumers and setting India's blueprint for digital innovation and inclusion. Namma Yatri follows ONDC's principles of decentralization, openness, integration and interoperability to create an inclusive and equitable digital marketplace.
Namma Yatri combines Samaj, Sarkar and Bazaar to build sustainable mobility solutions. Partnering with local governments and communities, it scales its model across states. It invests in public transport integration to enable seamless multimodal travel. Driver welfare programs such as the Mahila Shakti program for women EV drivers, providing rides to users with visual, hearing or physical impairments, integrating low-cost loans, regular savings programs and social security schemes to uplift drivers and improve livelihoods.
“Our vision goes beyond mobility – it's about uplifting drivers, strengthening local economies and building a business that delivers exceptional value to customers,” says MS. The goal is to create a future-ready and inclusive mobility ecosystem that benefits everyone. This approach aligns with the government's Digital India and Viksit Bharat vision and fosters a mobility system that supports drivers and commuters while promoting sustainable economic growth.