The Kerala Open Mobility Network project aims to bring all forms of transportation on the open network to enable seamless access to mobility services
Kochi, 9th September 2023: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and the Transport Department, Government of Kerala signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the scope of the open mobility network in the State.
Under this agreement, what began as the Kochi Open Mobility Network will now be expanded to the rest of the State and be rechristened as the Kerala Open Mobility Network (KOMN). The project will integrate all modes of transportation that are currently operating in Kerala onto the ONDC network and will offer affordable and convenient access to all modes of transport through user-friendly buyer and seller apps.
The expansion of the Open Mobility Network from Kochi to cover the entire state through this tie-up between ONDC and the Transport Department, Government of Kerala reflects joint advocacy and supports the effort to bring numerous transportation-related benefits to the State’s citizens. One such successful case study of how an open network powered by the ONDC protocol can enhance both the customer and driver value proposition is the Yatri cab and auto booking app in Kochi. It allows drivers to connect directly with customers, eliminating the need for any intermediaries thereby enabling the customers to pay less and drivers to earn more. With a network of over 5,000 drivers and 2 lakh customers, the app has completed 180,000 trips and enabled drivers to earn over Rs 4.5 Crores without any commissions.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. S. Sreejith IPS (Transport Commissioner, Kerala) and Mr. Shireesh Joshi (CBO, ONDC) in the presence of Mr. Antony Raju (Minister of Transport), Mr. P Rajeev (Minister of Industries), Mr. K Babu (MLA), Mr. Loknath Behera (MD, KMRL), Mr. Biju Prabhakar (IAS, Transport Secretary), and Mr. Sujith Nair (CEO, FIDE).
The MoU signing ceremony was held on 9th September 2023 at Crowne Plaza, Kochi, and highlighted the impact of a first-of-its-kind state-level open mobility network initiative that aims to unify all modes of transportation on the open network, enabling seamless access to all kinds of mobility services.
T. Koshy, MD & CEO ONDC, said, “This collaboration is an extension of what started with KOMN (Kochi Open Mobility Network) in 2019. The integration of the Kerala Open Mobility Network on ONDC represents our mission to build an inclusive and accessible mobility ecosystem without any barriers. By bringing together various modes of transportation on the open network, we are dedicated to providing the people of Kerala with a seamless, efficient, and accessible mobility experience.”
The Spokesperson for Transport Department, Government of Kerala said, “Our collaboration with ONDC takes us a step closer towards simplifying mobility for our citizens. The Kerala Open Mobility Network will bring together various stakeholders, from government agencies to private providers, ensuring that safe and convenient transportation options are readily available to all, ultimately leading to a more connected Kerala.”
