Every urban commuter in India knows the daily grind of switching between multiple ride-hailing apps. You check Ola, then Uber, maybe Rapido for a quick bike ride and by the time you decide, the fares have changed. Bob Rides, a new Indian mobility startup, wants to end that frustration with one simple promise: no more app-hopping, just tap once and “Just Bob It.”

A student’s struggle turned startup vision

Founded by Jai Adithya Poorana, Bob Rides was born out of personal frustration. During his college years at Christ University, Jai spent hours juggling between ride apps for his 25-kilometer daily commute. Limited phone storage and fluctuating prices made the experience exhausting. Determined to find a better way, Jai built Bob Rides, an aggregator of aggregators that merges all major platforms like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Namma Yatri into one smooth interface.

Unlike other ride-hailing services, Bob doesn’t compete with these giants; it unites them. The app allows users to view all available options side by side — from autos and cabs to bikes — and book directly without switching apps.

How Bob Rides works

The technology behind Bob Rides is powered by React Native, Express, and Node.js, ensuring real-time integrations with multiple mobility networks, including the government-backed ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce). This means users get transparent fares and more reliable availability.

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The system also prioritizes privacy by sharing only essential trip details with partner platforms. Meanwhile, sensitive data such as payment information stays encrypted within Bob’s ecosystem.

Co-founder and CTO Ansh Arora, an AWS-certified cloud practitioner, leads the tech architecture. Together, Jai and Ansh have combined business insight and technical precision to create a product that’s both scalable and secure.

Finding its place in a crowded market

India’s ride-hailing market is dominated by big players, but Bob isn’t trying to replace them. Instead, it complements them. By acting as a unified access point for rides, Bob Rides aims to make commuting easier for students, professionals, and families who frequently switch between multiple apps.

Since its launch on September 1, the app has already gained more than 9,000 users, with over 5,000 daily active users. Currently focusing on Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi, Bob plans to expand across India soon.

The startup is also testing a hyperlocal delivery service called “Parcels,” allowing users to send small packages within the city.

A sustainable and smart business model

Bob Rides operates on a partnership-based model where ride providers pay for bookings generated through the platform. The startup is also introducing a “Fastest Ride” feature that uses real-time traffic and ETA data to identify the quickest available ride. Users can access this for a nominal convenience fee.

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With early traction and strong unit economics, Bob is currently bootstrapped and supported by grants and credits from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon totaling about $300,000. The founders plan to raise funding later, once they hit key performance milestones.

The vision ahead

Looking forward, Bob’s ambition extends beyond ride aggregation. The startup aims to evolve into India’s first “hyper mobility super app” integrating local delivery, food, events, and even quick commerce under one platform. By working with ONDC and adhering to city transport policies, the team is confident that Bob Rides can become the next big leap in Indian urban mobility.

“We want Bob to make everyday life more efficient and accessible,” Jai says. “The goal is to provide a frictionless experience for every Indian commuter.”

 

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