Bengaluru drivers turn to Telegram, WhatsApp and zero-commission apps to beat Ola-Uber duopoly

Saw this on Twitter today. Tech Mahindra hiring graduates for 3.25 LPA and 24*7 Shift timing. I talked to various people to get an idea of their pay. A) A plumber lives near my house. He said he earns 2-3k daily and works for 20-25 days average. He earns 50-60k per month. B) Electrician earns in the same range. And other technicians and workers like this who are skilled earn a lot more than a software engineer. This is the hard reality. Students study for 16 years and pay 15-20 lacs college fees for this.

- Moving Tech Innovations Ltd, the firm behind Namma Yatri, raised $11 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Blume Ventures and Antler, with participation from Google. - The funds will be invested in technology, R&D, and product innovation to empower drivers, integrate public transport, and enhance customer experience. - Moving Tech aims to increase driver earnings and provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable mobility solutions through direct-to-driver and multimodal transportation models. - Originally launched as the Yatri app, Namma Yatri debuted in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumkur, and Kochi, and has expanded to Chennai, where it also facilitates metro-ticket bookings. - The company was spun off from Juspay in April 2020 and is led by Shan M S and Magizhan Selvan, who aim to create an impact similar to UPI in India and Linux worldwide. Source: Moneycontrol

Damn, let me tell you how Ola has messed up the auto rickshaw industry! They came in acting all fancy, promising convenience and fair prices. But what do we get? Overcharging like crazy! Their surge pricing during peak hours is a complete rip-off. They take advantage of our desperation and squeeze every penny out of us. And who suffers the most? The hardworking folks who rely on auto rickshaws every day. But it doesn't stop there. Ola's profiteering tactics have destroyed the earning potential of auto rickshaw drivers. They used to have control over their fares and make a decent living. Now, Ola dictates the prices and leaves the drivers scraping for scraps. It's just not fair! They've disrupted the whole system, and not in a good way. The drivers are struggling, and we passengers are getting ripped off left and right. Ola, you've turned a once reliable and affordable mode of transportation into a nightmare. Shame on you!

Or might build in the future

I was at a friends place and it suddenly started raining heavily. I had to reach my girlfriends place ASAP. She was already very angry that I was not spending enough time with her. The problem was that I was not getting any auto on Uber or Rapido. I stopped an auto and asked it for a ride. He quoted Rs 800 for a 4km ride. I was like, "Are you crazy?" I somehow negotiated it down to Rs. 500. But it made me wonder why is this city like this. Like everyone is trying to scam you. Every one is a grifter, from your landlord to auto wallahs to the cops. Have you faced such things in this city?

https://m.timesofindia.com/auto/news/carpooling-is-now-illegal-fines-of-up-to-rs-10000-issued-details-car-pool-bengaluru-bangalore-news/articleshow/104041793.cms Tldr: Bengaluru transport commission has banned share rides using Quick ride, bla bla car, etc.

https://x.com/indiantechguide/status/1708318940961886588?s=46