CUMTA officials said the main objective behind the app is to not just ensure commuters aren’t exploited with higher fares, but to also provide reasonable per ride commission for autorickshaw and cab drivers.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) will roll out a ride hailing app to help commuters get autorickshaws and cabs at an affordable price by March 2027.
Officials of CUMTA said, the main objective behind the app is to not just ensure commuters aren’t exploited with higher fares but to also provide reasonable per ride commission for autorickshaw and cab drivers. The details of the minimum fare and the commission are still being worked out and will be finalised in a couple of months.
“We are planning to make the app as seamless as the [multi model public transport app] ‘Chennai One’,” an official said.
The bids for developing the app will be floated by CUMTA shortly and the contract will be awarded in about two months, another official said.
“Then the firm will be granted a time of three months to develop the app and carry out the trials to iron any glitches. We hope to complete these processes and launch the app in March 2027,” he added. The app will be available for both Android and iOS platforms.
Commuters said, amid a growing number of ride hailing apps operated by various private firms, it will be particularly useful to have one of the State government.
R. Boopalan, a resident of Tiruvottiyur who frequently shuttles between Chennai Metro Rail system, buses and cabs for daily commute, said such a move to bring an additional app will be beneficial but the government has to give a reasonable commission to the drivers so that they stop overcharging passengers.
“On several occasions, cab and autorickshaw drivers ask for an additional payment complaining that the ride hailing companies don’t give them a fair per ride commission. Invariably, it is the commuter who suffers then as he pays more,” he added.
He noted that commuters struggle to find cabs and autorickshaws particularly during the monsoon. “Most of us pay sky high fares for rides whenever it rains. In such situations, it will be helpful to have an app with reasonable fares. But the government must also have a good grievance redressal mechanism to ensure commuters using this app don’t face this issue,” he added.
Published – October 06, 2026 05:30 am IST
