Bengaluru’s Namma Yatri aims to disrupt the mobility space with its commission-free betting

Namma Yatri, India’s first commission-free ride hailing platform built on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), is on a mission to disrupt the mobility space. Through its subscription-based model, the app ensures that drivers keep 100% of their earnings, setting a precedent for a fair ecosystem for ride-hailing services.

“Since its inception, Namma Yatri has empowered over 5 lakh drivers, generating revenue worth Rs 1,100 crore. This initiative has significantly enhanced financial stability and livelihoods,” Shan MS, co-founder of Namma Yatri, said during a media roundtable.

This announcement comes on the heels of ONDC’s recently released white paper, which underscores the economic potential of open web platforms. According to the newspaper, apps like Namma Yatri could generate an economic impact worth Rs 3 lakh crore over the next five years. By eliminating commissions, the platform is expected 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 is looking to expand to three to five cities in the next few months with plans for an international foray as well.

“Namma Yatri showcases the transformative potential of decentralized P2P models on open networks,” said Dr. Pramod Verma, Chief Architect, Aadhaar and UPI. “This could be UPI’s moment of mobility – empowering drivers, lowering costs for customers, and setting a blueprint for India to lead in digital innovation and inclusion.” Adoption has grown ONDC’s principles of decentralization, openness, disaggregation and interoperability create an inclusive and equitable digital market.

Namma Yatri integrates Samaj, Sarkar and Bazaar to build sustainable mobility solutions. By partnering with local governments and communities, it is scaling its model across states. It invests in public transportation integration to enable seamless multimodal travel. Driver welfare initiatives such as the Mahila Shakti program for electric vehicle drivers, EnAble India to provide rides to users with visual, hearing or physical disabilities, low-cost credit, regular savings schemes, and social security system integration are uplifting drivers and improving livelihoods.

“Our vision goes beyond mobility – it’s about building a movement that uplifts drivers, strengthens local economies, and delivers exceptional value to customers,” says MS, adding that by scaling the zero-commission model on an open network and integrating public transportation, the goal is to create a turnkey mobility ecosystem. For a comprehensive future that benefits everyone. This approach is aligned with the vision of Digital Government of India and Vixit Bharat, enhancing a mobility ecosystem that supports drivers and passengers while promoting sustainable economic growth.