Thiruvananthapuram, August 2025 : Kerala’s first government-backed ride-hailing service, Kerala Savaari, has completed over 1,00,000 rides in its pilot phase, marking a major milestone in the state’s mission to offer safe, affordable, and inclusive mobility to its citizens.
Soft-launched on May 1, 2025 , the pilot is currently active in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and has seen strong adoption from both drivers and passengers. Designed as an ethical and community-driven alternative to private aggregators, Kerala Savaari is backed by the Government of Kerala, led by the Labour Department, with Namma Yatri as its technology partner, offering a homegrown digital platform built for scale and public good.
The initiative is led by the Labour Department of Kerala, “Kerala Savaari reflects our commitment to creating a just digital future where technology works for the people, especially workers,” said Shri V. Sivankutty, Hon’ble Minister for Labour and General Education. “In just a few months, the platform has proven that a fair, transparent, and locally-governed mobility solution is both viable and scalable. We are now preparing for a statewide rollout…so that this Onam, every Malayali can ride Kerala Savaari.”
What sets Kerala Savaari apart is its people-first model, transparent pricing, and commitment to superior service. By eliminating middlemen and exploitative commissions, the app ensures better earnings for drivers and fair fares for riders. Through its open and community-governed approach, Kerala Savaari aims to rebuild public trust in urban mobility.
“Kerala Savaari is a powerful example of how technology, when built with empathy and in the public interest, can create meaningful change,” said Rajiv Ravindran, Director of Growth at Namma Yatri. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Kerala government in this pilot phase and to co-create a platform that puts drivers and citizens at the heart of urban mobility.”
The community-led nature of the platform has also resonated strongly with driver unions and collectives. “Kerala Savaari is not just an app. It’s a platform that respects our work and gives us dignity,” said Harial KJ, State Council Member, Kerala State Auto Taxi & Light motor Federation(CITU) & Joint Secretary EJCDU . “For the first time, we feel like we are part of something built with us, not against us. The transparent system, fair earnings, and government support have made a real difference. We are hopeful and excited to see this expand across Kerala soon.
Following the early momentum in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the Government of Kerala is now gearing up for a statewide rollout this month, aiming to integrate more cities and public transport services into the platform. Intending to make Kerala Savaari available to every Malayali by this Onam, the initiative promises a truly homegrown, inclusive mobility experience for all.
