Business | India’s rickshaw wars

A battle of rickshaw apps shows the promise of India’s digital stack

And its challenges

View from the inside of an auto-rickshaw in India.
Image: Alamy

IN INDIA’S STARTUP capital of Bangalore, auto-rickshaw drivers are no less prized than software engineers. Given the city’s chaotic traffic, rickshaws are sometimes the fastest way to get around. But finding one isn’t easy. Threats, pleas and moral appeals are necessary before a driver accepts a ride. The experience is no better with Ola and Uber, two ride-hailing firms which offer rickshaw services for a commission.

This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “The rickshaw wars”

From the July 22nd 2023 edition

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