Namma Metro operations.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: Namma Yatri and Tummoc on Thursday announced new open data-powered features that enable commuters in Bengaluru to plan and complete metro, bus and last-mile journeys.
The features are powered by open General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, a globally recognised open data standard for public transport, shared by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
GTFS includes stops, routes, trips and stop times.
This was part of the ‘Enroute Challenge’, a three-month competition which brought together six startups to improve Bengaluru’s public transport system by leveraging real-time transit data made available by the BMTC and the BMRCL.
It was organised by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India in collaboration with the World Resources Institute India (WRI) and Villgro. Tummoc and Namma Yatri were announced as the winners of the challenge in August 2024.
The new features on Tummoc, a startup focused on providing first- and last-mile connectivity, include metro and bus routes with real-time schedules, nearby stops, auto rides for first and last mile connectivity, and the ability to track and reduce carbon footprint. The features are currently live on the application.
Namma Yatri's new features are set to go live over the next 10 days. "We currently have partial data, some more still data is set to come through soon. We have complete our field testing," Shan MS, Co-founder and COO of Namma Yatri, told DH.
The new features include smart journey planning with real-time metro schedules, and contextual alerts and live updates.
"With this multi-modal launch, we are makng it easier for people to choose public transport without compromising convenience. People can plan a trip from start to finish on the same app," Shan added.
Speaking at the event, Priyank M Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT, BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, said: "Bengaluru is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and to meet our goal of 70 per cent public transport share by 2030, in addition to infrastructure, first- and last-mile solutions, digital integration and most importantly — open data is the need of the hour. By opening data, startups like Tummoc and Namma Yatri can develop innovative, locally-driven solutions to address real urban mobility challenges. This is Bengaluru’s collective ingenuity at work."
BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R, IT/BT Department Principal Secretary Ekroop Caur, BMRCL Executive Director (Operations and Maintenance) A S Shankar, Congress leader M V Rajeev Gowda and others were also present at the launch event.