Namma Sarathi Trust Launches ‘Pink Auto’ Fleet Driven by Women and Trans Women in Bengaluru.
Initiative aims to ensure safer travel, create livelihoods, and bring inclusivity to city transport.
Bengaluru, September 23, 2025 – In a pioneering move towards inclusive and women-led mobility, Namma Sarathi Trust (R) has rolled out “Namma Sarathi”, a fleet of pink auto-rickshaws driven by women and trans women in Bengaluru. The initiative is designed to promote safer public transport, empower underrepresented communities, and challenge long-standing gender stereotypes in the city’s transport sector.
Although Bengaluru’s urban transport system has expanded rapidly, women remain significantly underrepresented as drivers in the para-transit space. Namma Sarathi seeks to change this by providing structured training, support, and employment opportunities. The Trust plans to prepare 1,000 women and trans women drivers by March 2026 and scale the program to 10,000 drivers by 2030, positioning them as a key force in the city’s evolving mobility ecosystem.
The project will be supported by five training centres across Bengaluru. Each centre will run a three-month program covering driving skills, traffic rules, vehicle upkeep, digital and financial literacy, customer service, and self-defense. In collaboration with the RTO and financial institutions, the Trust will also assist participants in obtaining driving licenses and vehicle loans, while facilitating employment through unions and aggregator platforms.
“Namma Sarathi is not just about auto training, it is about community,” said the Trust’s team in a joint statement. “By placing women and trans women in the driver’s seat, we are creating opportunities for dignity, independence, and safer urban travel. Our vision is to normalize their presence on city roads and inspire similar models across India.”
C. Sampath, President of Namma Sarathi Trust, described the launch as a “historic moment”. “For too long, women and trans women have been passengers but rarely drivers. With Namma Sarathi, we are rewriting that story,” he said.
Vice President Rudra Murthi stressed the social impact of the initiative: “This is about more than employment—it is about representation. Every pink auto will symbolize courage and change.”
General Secretary Kavri highlighted the program’s holistic design: “We are equipping drivers with not just technical skills but also financial literacy, digital knowledge, and self-defense, ensuring long-term empowerment.”
Joint Secretary Meenakshi added: “Our dream is for women and trans women behind the wheel to be seen as normal. True change will be when such sight no longer feels unusual.”
Treasurer Dr. Devika Raj underlined the broader vision: “Namma Sarathi is more than just pink autos on the road. It is a movement putting women and trans women at the heart of Bengaluru’s inclusive transport future. Over time, we envision thousands joining the city’s auto network.”
The Trust also expressed gratitude to Dr. Tulsyan for his early guidance. “His belief in our mission gave us the strength to begin. His support has shaped Namma Sarathi into a movement rather than a project,” the team said.
The initiative is expected to generate monthly earnings between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 for participants, while offering passengers a reliable and safe transport option. More importantly, it provides a scalable model for women-led mobility that can be replicated across Indian cities.
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