Bengaluru's newest ride-hailing app allows you to book autos via WhatsApp, to follow govt rates

Bengaluru’s ride-hailing landscape has seen the emergence of a new player, ‘Nagara Metered Auto,’ launched in June and backed by the Karnataka State Driver’s Council. This service aims to reintroduce the metre culture in the city, offering rides at government-fixed rates.

Shivanna from NMA notes that the goal is to combat the cheating experienced by auto drivers with other ride-hailing apps and reestablish the trust and reliability of metered autos.

“After conducting many surveys in the city and talking one-on-one with auto drivers, we came to the conclusion that metred autos work the best,” explained Shivanna to Deccan Herald. “Many auto drivers told us they were getting cheated by other ride-hailing apps and they would rather go back to using the metre”.

How to use and challenges

Unlike conventional ride-hailing apps, Nagara Metered Auto stands out by operating primarily through a website and a WhatsApp chatbot, eliminating the need for passengers to download a separate mobile application. Drivers, however, are required to download an app to register and use the service.

The fare structure is straightforward: Rs 30 for the first 2 km and Rs 15 for every additional kilometre, adhering strictly to government-set rates. To book a ride, users can simply text ‘Hi’ to a WhatsApp number. They will receive a One Time Password (OTP), valid for eight minutes, to start a street-hailed ride. Alternatively, drivers registered on the app are identifiable by the branding on their autos, and they can initiate rides using a unique QR code for street-hailing passengers.
Despite its promising concept, Nagara Metered Auto faces teething issues. DH’s attempts to hail rides in areas like M G Road, Indiranagar, Okalipuram, and Sheshadripuram were reportedly unsuccessful, as the website failed to assign a driver. The majority of auto drivers, particularly from localities like Yeshwantpur, Nandini Layout, and Whitefield, have registered, but awareness among drivers remains low.

Government crackdown on bike taxis

Meanwhile, the ride-hailing sector in Bengaluru is facing fresh regulatory scrutiny. After massive protests from the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations, the state transport department has announced plans to crack down on bike taxis operating illegally in the city. In March, the Karnataka Government had banned the operation of electric bike taxis in the state after they were deemed “unsafe for women”.

The Federation’s demands also include implementing a ‘one city, one fare’ policy, issuing permits to school cabs and buses, regulating private cab aggregators’ commissions, and controlling the pricing of vehicle tracking devices.