Namma Yatri launches Namma Transit in Bengaluru to integrate metro, autos, cab services

As traffic congestion continues to choke Bengaluru’s streets, ride-hailing firm Namma Yatri has unveiled Namma Transit, a new feature designed to reimagine the city’s public transport experience by integrating metro services, autorickshaws, and cabs into a seamless, real-time navigation platform.

The announcement comes as average commute times in Bengaluru have surged 16% over the past year, now taking roughly 63 minutes to traverse a mere 19 kilometers. With Namma Transit, the company hopes to offer a more efficient and commuter-friendly alternative by guiding users through each step of their journey: from identifying the right metro station and platform to coordinating transfers with last-mile services.

Initially rolled out to select users, the feature is expected to be available citywide within a week.

At its core, Namma Transit functions as a personal transit assistant. Built on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the feature provides real-time updates on metro schedules and intermodal transfers. It is also expected to soon integrate live data from Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, thanks to a partnership with the Indian Institute of Science’s Centre for Data for Public Good.

“The fight is not between cabs and public transport,” said Shan MS, co-founder and COO of Namma Yatri, at the launch event. “The fight is against more private vehicles.” He emphasised the need for an equitable distribution between public transport and last-mile options, noting that simply adding more private cars would exacerbate the city’s gridlock.

By simplifying trip planning and transitions between modes, Namma Transit hopes to shift commuter preference toward mass transit systems. In its pilot phase, the company plans to offer incentives to both riders and drivers to encourage adoption.

Alongside the new feature, Namma Yatri released a policy report titled Made for BLR: Namma Mobility Blueprint 2030. Drawing on global best practices from cities like Amsterdam, Singapore, and Tokyo, the blueprint envisions sweeping reforms in urban transport policy and infrastructure.

The report sets ambitious goals for the decade ahead: increasing the share of public transport to 70% (up from 48%), reducing commute times from 117 to 57 hours, and halving transport-related emissions. A major recommendation is the formalisation of regulations around ride batching and pooling, modes that, the company argues, can deliver both environmental and economic benefits.

“Mobility should feel like magic, not a daily grind. With Namma Transit, we’ve designed every element, from booking to alerts, to make public transport the first choice. This is our contribution to a Bengaluru that moves with speed, efficiency, and trust,” the co-founders said.