Commuters urge probe into Namma Yatri over ‘advance tipping’ practice
Bengaluru: As the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) probes ride-hailing platforms Ola and Rapido over alleged unfair trade practices linked to their ‘advance tipping’ feature, Bengaluru commuters are calling for the investigation to extend to other platforms, particularly the homegrown Namma Yatri app.
Users allege that Namma Yatri was among the first to introduce the practice in the city and continues to prompt passengers to add tips during peak hours to secure rides. The feature, they say, often feels less like a voluntary gesture and more like a necessity to access services.
On May 21, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had directed the CCPA to issue a notice to Uber for its use of advance tipping, where riders are encouraged to tip drivers during the booking process, rather than after the ride. A day later, he confirmed that Ola and Rapido would also be issued similar notices. “These tactics are deeply concerning and qualify as unfair trade practices,” Mr. Joshi said.
According to a report published by The Hindu, frequent users in Bengaluru allege that Namma Yatri has made ride confirmation difficult without tipping. “Sometimes, the app refuses to find a ride unless you add a tip. This defeats the purpose of a voluntary contribution,” said Bhuvan Rao, a resident of Jalahalli.
Another commuter from JP Nagar said she had multiple instances where rides were confirmed only after adding a ₹20 tip. “It feels like we’re being manipulated into tipping just to get basic service,” she said.
Sharing a similar experience while booking a ride for his elderly mother, Ravi Prakash from Indiranagar said “Even after adding a ₹50 tip, we had to wait. There’s no transparency on whether the tip actually goes to the driver.”
Interestingly, following the Centre’s scrutiny of other apps, Namma Yatri modified its in-app prompt from ‘Add a tip’ to ‘Add more (voluntary) to find a ride.’ However, users claim the change is only cosmetic, with the underlying pressure unchanged.
Drivers too say they remain unaware of tip amounts. “We don’t see a breakdown. If the customer pays a tip, we don’t know. As far as we’re concerned, it’s not reaching us,” said Puneeth Kumar, an auto driver from Rajajinagar.
In response, Namma Yatri COO Shan M. S. said the app’s ‘Add More’ feature is voluntary and part of a transparent, community-driven model. “Namma Yatri takes no commission and has no stake in the final fare. The optional feature helps recognise drivers’ extra efforts during long waits or peak hours,” he said. The company also stated that no formal complaints had been received regarding the feature.
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At UN, India flags concerns over targeting of vessels in Strait of Hormuz
United Nations (PTI): Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said.
Harish's remarks at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows came days after an India-flagged commercial vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman.
Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel sailing from Somalia, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike.
In a post on X on Sunday, Harish said that at the UNECOSOC meeting, he shared India's approach to the recent energy and fertiliser crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.
"A combination of short-term and structural measures alongside international cooperation are essential to respond to the crisis," he said.
"Reiterated that targeting of commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected," he added.
The attack on the India-flagged vessel on May 13 took place amid the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass.
It has been severely disrupted by the conflict in West Asia that started on February 28, with the US and Israel launching joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
Earlier, India had described the attack as "unacceptable".
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict broke out.
According to the UNECOSOC website, the meeting, which took place on Friday, focused on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation”.
