Is there room for a new ride-hailing app?

Earlier this week, an autorickshaw union in Bengaluru announced the launch of a new ride-hailing platform—Nagara Metered Auto. It promises all rides according to government-prescribed fares, with users able to book rides through the platform’s website or even by scanning the QR code of an auto. Eventually, the plan is for customers to also be able to book rides through messaging platform WhatsApp.

Nagara Metered Auto is the latest attempt to disrupt the ride-hailing app post the pandemic. Prior to the onset of Covid, the sector had largely settled into a duopoly. Covid put paid to this stasis.

Multiple players across categories grew rapidly, taking a sizable chunk out of Uber and Ola’s business. While the likes of BluSmart carved out a presence in the airport rides category, form factor-specific players such as Swiggy-backed Rapido and JustPay’s Namma Yatri slowly expanded from bike taxis and autos, respectively, into the more lucrative cab category. In fact, The CapTable reported in May that Rapido has outpaced Ola in ride bookings.