New Delhi, 29 October (H.S.): Uber has announced a range of new features for its more than two million earning drivers in India, focusing on improving their earnings, providing greater flexibility and strengthening safety measures. At the third edition of Uber Pragmaati, the company introduced several initiatives, including Flexible Drive Pass, WhatsApp-based onboarding, ambulance assistance, in-app video recording and new earning opportunities for bike drivers.

According to Uber, the Flexible Drive Pass will allow drivers to choose subscription options ranging from six hours to 180 days. The initiative is designed to offer greater convenience to both part-time and full-time drivers, enabling them to work according to their individual needs and schedules.

The company has also introduced QuickStart, a feature that enables drivers to join Uber through WhatsApp. Under the ‘Earn First, Pay Later’ facility, eligible drivers will be able to continue accepting cash trips even after their balance is exhausted, subject to a specified additional credit limit.

Drivers can now communicate with passengers through voice notes using the app’s chat feature. Uber has also introduced a redesigned driver app that brings earnings information, trip details and essential updates together in one place.

The company has announced several measures aimed at strengthening the safety of both drivers and passengers. Through its round-the-clock Safety Line, Uber is facilitating ambulance assistance in partnership with Dial 4242. According to the company, the arrangement has helped provide medical assistance to drivers and passengers in more than 25 cases in less than four months.

Under the ‘Record My Ride’ feature, encrypted video recording will be available during trips. Uber said the feature could help establish the facts surrounding an incident in the event of a dispute.

The company has also introduced the ‘Safety Content Flag’ feature, which identifies messages that may contain potentially inappropriate language and prompts passengers to reconsider sending them. If a passenger proceeds to send such a message, the driver will be eligible to cancel the trip without the cancellation affecting their cancellation rate.

In addition, Uber has introduced an in-app Driver Safety Hub that brings safety tools, assistance and other resources together in one place. Drivers will also have the option to keep selected safety features activated automatically.

Uber is also seeking to expand earning opportunities for bike drivers beyond conventional passenger transport. Through Uber Bike Intercity, drivers will be able to facilitate short-distance journeys between neighbouring cities and towns, with routes such as Delhi–Meerut cited as examples.

Through Uber Direct, bike drivers will be able to fulfil delivery orders for businesses, while Uber Parcel will offer opportunities to deliver personal parcels within cities. The company said it is currently experimenting with options related to parcel delivery.

For car drivers, Uber Pet offers an additional earning opportunity by allowing them to serve passengers travelling with their pets. Meanwhile, the ‘Refer and Earn’ programme enables drivers to earn rewards by bringing new earners onto the platform.

During the event, Uber honoured drivers for their long-standing association with the platform, the highest distances covered and the greatest number of five-star trips completed.

Pramod Kumar Yadav, Aarti Singh and Ravi Chandure were recognised for their long-standing association with Uber. Kishore Kumar, Girdhari, Rukmani Singh and Prabha Thakur were honoured for driving the highest number of kilometres, while Hazrat Ali, Balu, Agar Singh Yadav and Sunita were recognised for completing the highest number of five-star trips.

Aditya Kapoor, Director of Supply Operations for Uber India and South Asia, said the company was working to remain a preferred platform for flexible earning opportunities in India. He emphasised that enabling drivers to work on their own terms, enhancing their safety and expanding their earning options remained key priorities for the company.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar