Bengaluru | 20 July 2026: Namma Yatri has launched a first-of-its-kind experiential initiative aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in India’s mobility sector. Conducted in Bengaluru, the one-day activation invited women professionals from diverse industries to experience the role of a driver partner, highlighting professional driving as a viable career option that offers flexibility, financial independence, and dignity of work.
The initiative forms part of Namma Yatri’s broader efforts to promote inclusivity within the urban mobility ecosystem while encouraging more women to consider careers as driver partners.
The experience commenced at Kempegowda International Airport, where participants accepted ride requests through the firm’s application and navigated the city in the same manner as regular driver partners. Throughout the day, they interacted with passengers, managed ride requests, and gained practical insights into the daily responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges associated with professional driving. Their experiences were documented to capture authentic perspectives on the profession.
Participants represented a range of professional backgrounds, including:
- Vidhu Vinod, Lead Program Manager – Strategy & Operations, Target
- Preity Nanwani, Brand Manager, TBWA\Lintas
- Vanshika Shah, Creative Content Strategist, Poetic Potato
- Kavya Mendiratta, Creative Manager, Namma Yatri
The initiative also highlighted a broader challenge within India’s urban transportation landscape. While demand for women driver partners continues to grow—particularly among women commuters seeking greater comfort during early morning and late-night travel—the number of women pursuing professional driving remains comparatively limited across many Indian cities.
Building on its existing Mahila Shakthi program, which supports a growing network of women auto-rickshaw driver partners, the firm is now expanding its efforts to encourage women to consider cab driving as a long-term profession. The initiative seeks to increase the participation of women across multiple mobility categories while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
By providing women with first-hand exposure to the profession, Namma Yatri aims to challenge longstanding perceptions surrounding mobility careers and demonstrate the potential of driving as a flexible and rewarding source of income. The company believes that increasing the number of women driver partners can contribute to a more inclusive mobility ecosystem while improving access to women drivers for passengers who prefer them.
About Namma Yatri
Namma Yatri was established in Bengaluru with the objective of creating a technology-driven mobility platform designed around the interests of both driver partners and passengers.
Built on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the platform enables direct connections between drivers and riders through an open and transparent marketplace. Unlike conventional ride-hailing models, Namma Yatri focuses on empowering driver partners by providing greater autonomy and improving earning opportunities while delivering convenient mobility solutions for commuters.
Since its launch, the platform has expanded to multiple cities across India, serving lakhs of passengers and driver partners through services including auto-rickshaws, cabs, and other mobility offerings. Alongside technology innovation, the company continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen the driver ecosystem by supporting skill development, improving livelihoods, and encouraging participation from underrepresented communities.
Through initiatives such as Mahila Shakthi and its latest experiential activation, Namma Yatri aims to make urban mobility more inclusive by creating greater opportunities for women while contributing to a transportation ecosystem that is equitable, accessible, and representative of the communities it serves.
