‘Advance tipping’ under CCPA scanner: Bengaluru commuters urge probe into more apps

While the spotlight is now on Ola, Rapido, and Uber, Bengaluru residents say Namma Yatri must also be held accountable.

Following an investigation launched by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) into Ola and Rapido for alleged unfair trade practices linked to their ‘advance tipping’ feature, a growing number of commuters in Bengaluru are demanding that the probe be expanded to include more apps, such as the homegrown Namma Yatri, among others.

They allege that Namma Yatri was the first in Bengaluru to introduce this practice, and continues to nudge passengers into paying tips during peak hours to secure rides.

On May 21, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi directed the CCPA to issue a notice to Uber regarding its use of advance tipping, where riders are prompted to tip drivers during the booking process, rather than after the ride. A day later, Mr. Joshi confirmed that similar notices were being considered for Ola and Rapido.

“This feature, which was historically meant to be a voluntary gesture of appreciation after a service, is now being misused as a tool to manipulate ride allocation,” Mr. Joshi said. “These tactics are deeply concerning and qualify as unfair trade practices. Fairness, transparency and accountability must be upheld in all customer interactions.”

In recent months, several ride-hailing apps have pushed riders to ‘tip more’ to increase their chances of getting a ride. The move comes amid growing frustration over cancellations and delays, but it has left users feeling compelled into paying more than the listed fare just to get a confirmed booking.

While the spotlight is now on Ola, Rapido, and Uber, Bengaluru residents say Namma Yatri must also be held accountable.

“It is unfair to charge tips, especially during peak hours, and it feels almost forced,” said Bhuvan Rao, a frequent user of the app and a resident of Jalahalli. “Sometimes, the app refuses to find a ride unless you add a tip. This defeats the purpose of a voluntary contribution. All such practices must be investigated thoroughly,” he added.