Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 29: Uber on Thursday unveiled a series of driver-focused initiatives at the third edition of Uber Pragati, aimed at improving earning opportunities, enhancing safety and providing greater flexibility for drivers on its platform in India.

The initiatives include flexible subscription options, simplified onboarding through WhatsApp, new income opportunities and enhanced safety features. The company also highlighted the use of ambulance assistance during emergencies and encrypted in-app video recordings that have helped establish facts in disputed incidents.

“Our ambition is to continue being the platform of choice for flexible earning opportunities in India,” said Aditya Kapoor, director of supply operations, Uber India and South Asia. He said the company aims to give drivers greater freedom to work on their own terms, access to strong safety protections and more ways to earn.

Uber said the latest enhancements were developed in response to driver feedback, with a focus on making everyday operations more convenient and reducing interruptions to their work.

Its Flexible Drive Pass offers subscription options ranging from six hours to 180 days, catering to both part-time and full-time drivers. The company described the offering as an industry first, providing drivers with greater control over how long they use the platform.

Through Quickstart, which Uber also described as an industry first in ride-hailing, drivers can join the platform through WhatsApp, simplifying the onboarding process.

The company's 'Earn First, Pay Later' feature allows eligible drivers to continue accepting cash trips even when their balance is exhausted, subject to an additional credit limit. The feature is designed to prevent interruptions to their working day.

Drivers can also exchange voice notes with riders through Uber's in-app chat, while a simplified Driver App brings earnings information, trip details and important updates together for easier access.

New safety measures for drivers and riders

Uber has introduced additional safety features aimed at improving protection for both drivers and riders.

Its Ambulance Assistance service, launched in partnership with Dial 4242, is accessible through Uber's 24/7 Safety Line. The company said the service, described as an industry first in ride-hailing, has been used 25 times in less than four months to help drivers and riders access timely medical assistance following accidents.

Another feature, Record My Ride, uses encrypted video recordings to capture events during a trip. According to Uber, the feature has already helped police establish the facts in a disputed incident involving a rider and a driver.

Uber is also introducing Safety Content Flag, a real-time chat protection feature that identifies potentially inappropriate language and prompts riders to reconsider their messages before sending them.

Drivers who receive inappropriate messages can cancel eligible trips without affecting their cancellation statistics, the company said.

The in-app Driver Safety Hub brings safety tools and support services together in one place. It also enables drivers to keep selected protections, including audio recording and trip-sharing, activated automatically.

More earning opportunities beyond regular rides

Beyond conventional passenger trips, Uber is expanding opportunities for drivers to generate additional income through delivery and specialised services.

Bike Intercity allows bike drivers to undertake shorter trips between neighbouring towns and cities, including routes such as Delhi-Meerut. Uber Direct enables drivers to fulfil delivery orders for businesses, while Uber Parcel allows them to transport personal packages within cities.

Uber Pet provides participating car drivers with another earning opportunity by allowing them to serve riders travelling with their pets.

The company is also promoting its refer-and-earn programme, which rewards drivers for bringing new earners onto the platform.

Through these initiatives, Uber aims to strengthen its driver-focused offerings by combining flexible work arrangements, enhanced safety measures and additional income opportunities.