After Bharat Taxi, NameBharat to launch in India to challenge Uber and Ola with zero driver commission
NameBharat, a new ride-booking platform, is set to launch soon. WEML, which is behind the service, is promising a commission-free model for cab drivers and aims to eliminate surge pricing for riders during peak hours. More information is awaited.
India’s competitive mobility market is soon going to see a new ride-booking platform. After Bharat Taxi, NameBharat is preparing to launch with a business model that promises to eliminate driver commissions and increase pricing for passengers, positioning itself as a direct challenger to established ride-hailing players like Uber and Ola.
World Economic Mobility Limited (WEML) has announced that it will launch the NameBharat service in India, although it has not yet offered a concrete launch date. According to WEML, backed by Narayanhiti Trust, Nembharat is pitched as a “prepaid and cashless” ride-hailing service designed to address “the lack of income predictability for gig workers”.
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Zero commission, no surge pricing promised
In a release shared with the media today, WEML says it will not charge drivers any commission or membership fees, meaning drivers who ride on NameBharat can potentially retain their entire earnings from each ride. For riders, WEML is guaranteeing fair fares without surge pricing through prepaid and cashless system.
Through NameBharat, WEML aims to reshape the country’s mobility sector, which, in its own words, is currently affected by “drivers’ strikes due to low earnings and passenger complaints regarding safety and unpredictable fares”. WEML has not disclosed the areas and locations where it plans to run the NameBharat service, but it talks about creating a “national transport network”.
Some concrete details he is sharing at this time are that NameBharat will integrate various transportation modes including cabs and auto-rickshaws and that its system is in line with Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines to “balance workforce standards with consumer protection.” Security protocols such as legislation and possible tie-ups with local police authorities have also not been clearly confirmed.
It is worth noting that the announcement of NameBharat comes hot on the heels of the launch of Bharat Taxi in the country. Even though it may seem that the ambitions of both are somewhat similar, they are completely different in terms of business models. Bharat Taxi is a co-operative service backed by some of the same people behind Amul. It is not owned by any public or private company, and is supported by the government, specifically the Ministry of Cooperation. Operating in Delhi and parts of Gujarat, Bharat Taxi is offering 80-20 per cent revenue share, where drivers can become part of the board and play a key role in decision making. Bharat Taxi promises fair fares and no extra cost to riders, which can be considered a common thread between it and NameBharat. More details about NameBharat should be revealed closer to the launch.
