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What does a cab hailing app do?

Namma Yatri - is a cab hailing app in Bangalore that ensures that 100% of the money goes to the driver. Based on the ONDC platform, it is quite remarkable - that it took time for this idea to be created. It does look like the app has reached critical mass. 

But what is a cab hailing app? It is a system. A system of trust. 

The same system can be implemented in any city - but the only city where it fully works in India is in Mumbai. 

Metered prices. Drivers can choose to go or not. No surge pricing (or sometimes it exists). All the money goes to driver. Trust that the driver will not cheat - and it works for the most part. Nearly 99%.

In other cities since this 'honour' system does not exist or someone always tries to break the system, an app is needed and like the proverbial monkey with the two cats, the apps take a chunk as commission. And that led to multiple levels of mistrust - between the app and the driver, sometimes between the passenger and the driver (since drivers ask the passenger to pay them directly post booking) and eventually between the customer/passenger and the app.

The commission less app makes it a lot more easier, but it is worth thinking that if the honour system existed, life would be so much smoother. 

Kind of like Indian traffic - every individual who breaks a small rule thinks it is not a big deal but in total it adds up to a big mess. 

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