Ramesh Mahato drove a petrol auto-rickshaw in Bankura for eleven years. He knew every street, every shortcut, every loyal passenger — but at the end of each month, after fuel, maintenance, and EMI on the vehicle loan, he was left with barely ₹12,000. "I was tired for money that was always running away," he says, laughing.
The Switch
When a neighbour told Ramesh about Eto Rides, he was sceptical. Another app, another promise. But the economics were hard to argue with: he charged his new electric vehicle overnight at home for less than ₹60, compared to the ₹450–₹500 he'd been spending on CNG every day. "First month I thought something is wrong. Too much money left over," he says.
The 80% Difference
What sealed it for Ramesh wasn't just the fuel saving — it was the fare split. On Eto Rides, captains keep 80% of every fare. "Before, the operator took big cut. Here I keep most. It is my effort, my earning," he explains. Within 90 days, his take-home had grown from ₹12,000 to over ₹24,000 — with the same hours and the same city.
Community Before Commission
Ramesh now mentors two newer Eto Rides captains in his neighbourhood, helping them understand the app and the charging schedule. "If I can do it, they can do it. This is not difficult — this is just different." He's saved enough to fund his daughter's college education and is eyeing a second electric vehicle as an investment.
Ramesh's story isn't extraordinary — it's becoming ordinary on the Eto Rides platform. Every captain who joins brings their own version of this transformation: more earnings, cleaner air, and the dignity of professional recognition. We call them Captains because that's exactly what they are.