In a step forward for urban mobility in Bengaluru, Namma Yatri and Tummoc have introduced new features powered by open data that allow commuters to seamlessly plan and complete metro, bus and last-mile journeys.
These features leverage the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), 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 provides detailed information on stops, routes, trips and stop times, enabling more efficient and connected urban travel for city commuters.
Indian cities today are witnessing a rapid surge in private vehicle ownership, often at the cost of public and non-motorised transport, leading to more traffic congestion and higher carbon emissions and pollution.
To curb this trend and support livelihoods, shared mobility has often been viewed as a magical solution.
Researchers at the Smart Public Transport Lab at TU Delft have found that ride-hailing services can serve as a valuable complement to public transportation, improving overall access within a city.
By collaborating with public transit authorities, these platforms can integrate their services more effectively, creating a better mobility experience. Cities like Seattle, which have experienced growth in population, jobs and mobile vehicle trips, have simultaneously seen an increase in public transit ridership and a reduction in vehicle miles travelled, demonstrating the potential of such integration.
Talking to AIM, Monalisha Thakur, co-founder and CMO at Tummoc, explained that people need a seamless way to navigate the urban transport ecosystem. And that is how Tummoc was born.
“It is an ecosystem enabler and a super app that brings together all public and private transport services in a single platform,” she claimed.
Tummoc claims to be ‘India’s only Patented Transit Tech Application with multimodal journey planning and ticketing”. The app helps track and find actionable and accurate intra-city travel information for buses, metros and suburban rail networks.
Making an Impact
Tummoc’s mission addresses real-world challenges in urban mobility. As Thakur explained, infrastructure alone cannot keep up with the growing urban population.
This is why the app integrates multiple transport modes into a single platform. “We provide real-time information and consolidate ticketing so people don’t have to juggle multiple apps or tickets. The goal is to make commuting seamless, whether it’s within the city or outside,” she explained.
Tummoc bridges the gap between public and private transportation, offering real-time information, consolidated ticketing and seamless integration of last-mile travel. “If you want to travel outside the city, we’ve added interstate bus ticketing as well,” she said.
The app’s growth reflects the shift in public behaviour. Citing Delhi as an example, she said, “Metro ridership announcements via the app have led to a constant increase in tickets. In the last one and a half months, Tummoc usage has gone up 200x.”
Thakur acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly regarding the quality of service and consumer expectations. However, she explained, “It’s a combination of providing better options, engaging users responsibly and collaborating with the government. This is how we can improve urban mobility and make the roads more efficient.”
She believes that by providing citizens with accessible, reliable and integrated transportation options, the platform not only eases commuting but also fosters sustainability and inclusivity in urban travel.
The Outreach
Tummoc is actively promoting responsible commuting among users by tracking metrics such as calories burned while walking or using public transport. The startup has observed a shift in user behaviour, with commuters becoming more conscious about their trips.
The company is also working to integrate corporate transport with public transport, aiming to influence employee commuting choices and reduce reliance on taxis or private vehicles.
Government collaboration remains crucial. In Delhi, for instance, the government operates one of the largest fleets in the country, serving 47-48 lakh people daily. Tummoc incorporates special buses with fewer stops to speed up travel, emphasising that joint efforts between the government and citizens are necessary due to limited road expansion.
However, the company focuses on enabling choice rather than competing with other apps or services.
“We are creating an ecosystem where public transport, private operators and tech platforms coexist. One company alone cannot solve that; it requires collaboration, data-sharing and ecosystem thinking,” she explained.
Data is the Key
Data plays a pivotal role in Tummoc’s evolution. Despite initial challenges with access and reliability, the team leveraged predictive analytics and real-time monitoring to optimise operations.
With AI entering the picture, Thakur highlighted the potential for actionable insights, while also emphasising the importance of responsibility and adherence to regulations. “We are cautious about deploying features until there are official mandates and legal frameworks in place,” she noted. “With 45-48 lakh people potentially affected, responsibility and trust are paramount.”
Tummoc’s city-by-city rollout demonstrates its adaptive approach. Bengaluru, the first city, was a learning ground for validating hypotheses about user behaviour and adoption.
“We realised that even 99.6% of validations happen on buses, contrary to our expectations. The user often surprises you,” she reflected. This insight led to innovations such as number-based validations and QR codes, streamlining ticketing across multiple cities.
Different cities bring unique challenges. In Delhi, integrating with pre-existing ticketing systems required careful behavioural nudges, while in smaller cities, the focus was on providing accessible solutions for non-smartphone users.
She explained that these strategies not only digitise ticketing but also generate actionable data for optimising bus routes, increasing efficiency and improving commuter experience.
Other Apps in the Market
Beyond Tummoc, several other apps in India are shaping the urban mobility landscape. In Bengaluru, Namma Yatri, developed through the Enroute Open Data Startup Challenge, functions as a mobility as a service (MaaS) platform that integrates BMTC buses, Namma Metro and auto-rickshaws. It enables users to plan end-to-end journeys, book tickets and access real-time updates, while also supporting last-mile connectivity.
Similarly, Chalo digitises bus transport by offering real-time bus tracking, digital ticketing and route planning. It is currently operating in cities like Pune, Indore and Surat to improve the daily commuting experience.
In Chennai, Mitra provides a unified interface for planning and booking journeys across buses, metros and trains, helping commuters move seamlessly between different modes of public transport.
The post Tummoc and the Promise of a Seamless Commute Across India appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
