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Rapido has unveiled a new app, Hopr, aimed at carpooling and bikepooling in Bengaluru to provide professionals with convenient, cost-effective commuting options. This move marks Rapido’s expansion into the shared mobility sector, entering direct competition with services like Quick Ride.

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Rapido Launches Hopr: Expanding Into Car and Bikepooling in Bengaluru

Rapido, the well-known ride-hailing platform, is making a strategic move into the carpooling segment with the launch of its new app, Hopr. Developed by Flexiride Solutions Pvt Ltd, a separate entity headed by Rapido executives, Hopr aims to offer professionals in Bengaluru a convenient way to carpool or bikepool along similar routes while offsetting fuel costs.

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Hopr: A New Player in Car and Bikepooling

According to recent public filings, Flexiride Solutions Pvt Ltd is the parent company behind Hopr. Directors Vivek Krishna, Rapido’s Vice President of Finance, and Akash Sachdev, who leads new initiatives at Rapido, are at the helm of this venture.

Hopr currently operates exclusively in Bengaluru and focuses on connecting car and bike owners to commuters located nearby, whose workplaces lie along the same daily travel path. This service model allows vehicle owners to reduce their fuel expenses by sharing rides while providing commuters with an affordable, efficient transportation option.

Despite being relatively new, Hopr already boasts around 6,500 active users, although the app has had only a limited number of downloads on the App Store so far.

Direct Competition with Quick Ride and Other Shared Mobility Services

With the launch of Hopr, Rapido enters a competitive market that includes Bengaluru-based companies such as Quick Ride and GoPool, both popular for providing carpooling services among working professionals and students.

These companies operate commercial yellow-board vehicles on shared routes to enable cost-effective travel. Hopr similarly facilitates ride-sharing but stands out by incorporating bikepooling, which is particularly relevant following recent regulatory changes in the city.

Regulatory Landscape and the Shift From Bike Taxis to Bikepooling

Following the ban on bike taxis in Bengaluru, a segment that was one of Rapido’s early business models, the company is pivoting to bikepooling services with Hopr. Unlike commercial bike taxis, bikepooling centers on sharing fuel costs rather than charging for rides as a commercial service, granting it a more economic and regulatory-friendly position.

While Bengaluru’s transport authorities have yet to formalize dedicated carpooling policies, demand for such services continues to rise, especially among professionals seeking affordable and sustainable commuting alternatives.

Rapido’s Broader Growth Strategy: From Ride-Hailing to Food Delivery and Fintech

Hopr is Rapido’s third consumer-facing app following the launch of Ownly, a food delivery platform that recently debuted in Bengaluru. Alongside food delivery, Rapido is also developing a fintech arm to further diversify its offerings.

This “house of apps” strategy, endorsed by Rapido’s major investor Prosus, aims to increase the company’s valuation and market footprint by catering to multiple daily needs of urban consumers.

Capital and Ownership Changes Amidst Expansion

Rapido’s investor landscape is poised for change as Swiggy, a key investor holding roughly 12% of Rapido’s equity, looks to exit the company. Following Rapido’s foray into food delivery—a space that directly overlaps with Swiggy’s core business—the foodtech giant is reportedly seeking up to $300 million from this stake sale, valuating Rapido at approximately $2.7-3 billion.

Innovations in Shared Mobility: Metro Ticketing and Beyond

Expanding beyond ride-hailing and delivery, Rapido recently added metro ticketing options on its platform, joining peers like Namma Yatri and Uber. This move aligns with the company’s vision to be an all-encompassing urban mobility solution.

What Hopr Means for Bengaluru Commuters

By entering the car and bikepooling market through Hopr, Rapido offers Bengaluru’s professionals and students a sustainable, cost-effective alternative for daily commuting. The app’s emphasis on community-based ride-sharing aligns with growing environmental concerns and the need to reduce congestion on city roads.

With an initial user base of 6,500 active riders and the flexibility to scale to other cities, Hopr is strategically positioned to capture a significant share in India’s shared mobility revolution.

Final Thoughts

Rapido’s launch of Hopr through Flexiride Solutions represents a calculated effort to navigate regulatory challenges while expanding its ecosystem beyond bike taxis into carpooling and bikepooling. This diversification, set against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and rising transportation costs, reflects the company’s adaptability and long-term vision for smart mobility in India’s metros.

As Bengaluru’s transport policies evolve and consumer preferences shift toward shared and sustainable transport, apps like Hopr could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban commuting.

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