Latest news with #PrabhjeetSingh
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
'We are open to all pricing models'
Ride-hailing Uber, which is facing heat from Rapido with its driver-friendly monthly platform fee model, says it's open to any model that helps drivers who number 1.4 million now. The San Francisco-based rider app entered the country in 2012 with just one product in one city and today boasts of close to a dozen offerings across 125 cities, most of which are locally developed and unique to this market. Uber India president Prabhjeet Singh tells Benn Kochuveedan that it grew a whopping 40% in terms of driver additions from 1 million in 2023 to 1.4 million in 2024. Your rival Rapido with its monthly platform model as against your 30% commission model from each ride is drawing a lot of attention forcing Ola to follow suit. What is your approach to this pricing model and what will be the impact on your revenue if switched to this one? We are open to all pricing models that help our driver partners. In fact, we are testing a model that's based on a monthly fee model in some cities. All our services are based on the feedback from customers and our driver partners. That we've added 0.4 million new driver partners in 2024—from 1 million in the previous year to 1.4 million—is a testimony to the success of our business model. The way we operate is not necessarily about what others do. What we care for is our partners' profitability and choices. This is a competitive market and we are continuously innovating--whether it's our features, or the way we work with drivers. We offer different operating models to our partners. For example, our auto business runs on a subscription model, we also offer different models in some cities for cabs. There is no one uniform answer, that's the power of a very diverse business and you literally can actually customize according to market demands. What we want to make sure is that irrespective of the way drivers engage with our platform, their earnings should be fair, stable, and transparent. Yes, multiple pricing models are in the market and we'll continue to iterate with drivers to ensure that they have choices. That 4 lakh new drivers came onto our platform last year alone means drivers are choosing to work with us despite having the choice of working with multiple platforms. You've nearly a dozen products here. How many of them are profitable? A very large percentage of our products are profitable. We don't report product-level profitability but at the end of the day the fact that we are growing rapidly means we are running a profitable business. We make enough money to reinvest in other new products. Our disciplined operations allow us to reinvest in categories which are future markets, so it's a portfolio of products that we manage. India business is growing strong, we continue to have a very sustainable business, and we're reinvesting profits from one part of the business to other parts. As a policy we don't publish specific revenue numbers. How is Uber Green doing? What's preventing its faster adoption? As the largest ride-hailing platform we must lead the industry by being a catalyst. For more EVs to come to our platform, I think OEMs have to come together, financing has to improve, more fleet partners with EVs have to come forward, and finally consumers have to opt for a green car which is costlier than a normal ride. We launched Uber Green about two years ago and it is now live in five cities, including Mumbai and over 20,000 EVs are on our network now. At the end of the day it comes down to an economic choice for the driver. Pricing is the biggest speed bump I would say. Ride-hailing vehicles tend to run longer, they need a certain range, price points need to be lower, there must be the right charging infrastructure. So we are trying to solve for it by working with fleet partners, recognising that they will be able to make those investments in creating captive hubs, they are able to purchase those assets but that takes time. Also the resale market for EVs is still to fully play out. Many of your services like Ubermoto, Uber Shuttle don't have licences in many cities? Transport is a concurrent subject and every state has its own rules and regulations. What we're doing is as we innovate and pilot new services we simultaneously work with respective state administrations and educate them on the need to give customers mobility choices.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Uber introduces new features aimed at improving affordability and access for Indian commuters
Uber has announced a suite of new features intended to enhance the daily commuting experience for its users in India. With offerings such as Price Lock, Wait & Save, Metro ticketing integration, and Airport Priority Access, the company is addressing a broad spectrum of rider needs—from affordability and accessibility to convenience and comfort. India remains a key market for Uber, with more than 1.4 million drivers across 125 cities. The newly launched features are the result of direct rider feedback, reflecting demand for greater control, flexibility, and value in everyday travel. The Price Lock feature, scheduled for release in December 2025, will allow users to lock in fixed fares for commonly travelled routes by paying a small upfront fee. This aims to protect riders from fare surges during peak hours or congested periods. Wait & Save, currently piloting in over 10 cities, offers reduced fares to passengers willing to wait longer for a ride. In contrast, the Go Priority option caters to those preferring faster pickups at a premium. Both options aim to give riders more control over their journey priorities. Another significant development is the integration of metro ticketing through ONDC. This service is already live in Delhi and will soon be rolled out in Chennai and Mumbai. It enables users to plan multimodal travel seamlessly within the Uber app. Also introduced is Simple Mode, designed for senior citizens with a simplified interface, and Airport Priority Access, which offers reserved ride lanes at terminals for quicker departures. Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India & South Asia, said, 'These features are designed to serve a wide range of needs, from daily savers to those seeking comfort. We're raising the bar on everyday mobility.'
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Wait & Save' fares, price lock, smoother Metro and airport exits: What Uber's new upgrades mean for Mumbai commuters
Uber in Mumbai is set to revolutionize urban travel by integrating Metro ticket booking directly within its app, streamlining commutes. Other features include 'Price Lock' for fare stability, 'Wait & Save' for budget-conscious riders, and specialized services like 'Uber for Seniors' and 'Uber for Teens'. MUMBAI: Uber has announced in Mumbai that riders can soon book Metro train tickets directly in the Uber app, offering a seamless multimodal travel experience across the city. Few other features announced were 'wait and save' which gives you lower fare in the bargain, 'Price lock' which enables you to lock affordable fares on regular routes by paying small upfront fee in advance, 'Uber for senior citizens' and 'Uber for teens' empowering elderly and teenagers to book without assistance and 'Airport Priority Access' wherein riders can soon step directly from the terminal-2 airport to their assured waiting Ubers. Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India & South Asia said that in case of Metro 1, 3, 2A and 7, users can soon book Metro tickets directly in the Uber app at the beginning of cab journey so that he or she need not wait in long queues. The QR code for Metro ride is generated during the cab booking. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Airport Priority Access is live in Pune and Hyderabad; next stop is Mumbai, he said. It's Uber's most seamless airport pickup experience in India to date and designed to reduce post-flight stress. Riders can now step directly from the terminal into their waiting Ubers. There will be Uber staff to guide, proper directions to the waiting cab and driver partners waiting to pick you up at the premier or Uber XL priority pickup zones - preferably on P6 level of T2 airport. Uber cab features announced for riders Metro Ticketing Users can book metro tickets directly in the Uber app through our integration with ONDC. After an incredible response in Delhi, we are set to expand Metro ticketing to Chennai and Mumbai, offering a seamless, multimodal travel experience - all within the Uber app. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Airport Priority Access It's Uber's most seamless airport pickup experience in India to date and designed to reduce post-flight stress. Riders can now step directly from the terminal into their waiting Ubers. After Pune and Hyderabad, we're bringing this experience to Mumbai, followed by India's newest greenfield airport in Noida. Price Lock Riders can soon lock in fares for their most frequent routes by paying a small upfront fee to insulate against dynamic fares during peak hours or heavy traffic. Wait & Save For those with flexible schedules, Wait & Save offers a great way to get lower fare in exchange for a slightly longer wait time. It contrasts options like 'Go Priority' which cater to users who prefer faster pickups at a premium, helping riders choose what matters more in the moment they need a ride - price or time. Uber for Seniors A simplified app experience built for older adults, with larger buttons, fewer booking steps, and real-time trip tracking for families. Reflecting Uber's commitment to building inclusive products that meet the needs of every rider, no matter their age or tech comfort level - it is designed for those who want independence, without the tech overwhelm. Uber for Teens Teenagers will have their own Uber app which will have several security features to ensure a safe ride and parents being informed of every journey Uber Pet A dedicated option for riders travelling with a furry friend - a dog or a cat, available on reserve-only rides. Drivers are informed in advance, ensuring a smoother experience for both pet parents and partners. It's designed to make pet travel simpler, more respectful, and stress-free. Uber XL Plus Guaranteed larger cars - like Toyota Innova - for when you're travelling in a bigger group, with bigger luggage or just need more room for yourself. More space, no surprises.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber, Infra News, ET Infra
Advt Advt More than 60 per cent of Uber customers in India are currently opting for two- and three-wheelers, marking a shift in consumer mobility preferences at the ride-hailing platform from passenger which leads India's ride-hailing market , employs about 1.4 million driver partners, up from 1 million in 2024, reflecting steady demand growth."In India, more than three out of every five trips are now on two-wheelers or three-wheelers," Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia told ET. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Uber Pragati event in to him, a key driver of this transition is growing demand for affordable and flexible transport, especially in congested urban and semi-urban areas. Singh said categories such as intercity, airport travel, and premium offerings are also seeing "massive growth," supported by new product innovations and affordability as it expands into multiple use cases, Uber's electrification efforts have remained modest. The company operates 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across two-, three-, and four-wheeler categories, comprising less than 2 per cent of its 1.4 million active vehicles in India."EV adoption is growing, but penetration is definitely lower than I would like it to be," Singh said. He pointed to hurdles including high financing costs, unclear residual value of EVs, and inadequate charging infrastructure as key challenges slowing the transition. India's EV ecosystem, according to Singh, is still developing, and the cost burden of vehicle ownership continues to be a barrier. "Someone has to buy the asset and deploy it on the platform. That's harder for EVs," he navigate these challenges, Uber is partnering with institutional fleet operators who invest in vehicles and charging networks. Its Uber Green service , which offers EV rides, is currently operational in three Indian is Uber's third-largest market globally by volume. To drive further growth, the company has started new services such as Uber for Seniors and Uber Pet besides affordability features like Wait and Save. While EV adoption remains a long-term goal, Uber is currently focusing on expanding access through lower-cost, high-volume mobility options, said Singh.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber
More than 60% of Uber customers in India are currently opting for two- and three-wheelers , marking a shift in consumer mobility preferences at the ride-hailing platform from passenger vehicles. Uber, which leads India's ride-hailing market, employs about 1.4 million driver partners, up from 1 million in 2024, reflecting steady demand growth. "In India, more than three out of every five trips are now on two-wheelers or three-wheelers," Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia told ET. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Uber Pragati event in Mumbai. According to him, a key driver of this transition is growing demand for affordable and flexible transport, especially in congested urban and semi-urban areas. Singh said categories such as intercity, airport travel, and premium offerings are also seeing "massive growth," supported by new product innovations and affordability features. Even as it expands into multiple use cases, Uber's electrification efforts have remained modest. The company operates 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across two-, three-, and four-wheeler categories, comprising less than 2% of its 1.4 million active vehicles in India. "EV adoption is growing, but penetration is definitely lower than I would like it to be," Singh said. He pointed to hurdles including high financing costs, unclear residual value of EVs, and inadequate charging infrastructure as key challenges slowing the transition. India's EV ecosystem, according to Singh, is still developing, and the cost burden of vehicle ownership continues to be a barrier. "Someone has to buy the asset and deploy it on the platform. That's harder for EVs," he said. To navigate these challenges, Uber is partnering with institutional fleet operators who invest in vehicles and charging networks. Its Uber Green service , which offers EV rides, is currently operational in three Indian cities. India is Uber's third-largest market globally by volume. To drive further growth, the company has started new services such as Uber for Seniors and Uber Pet besides affordability features like Wait and Save. While EV adoption remains a long-term goal, Uber is currently focusing on expanding access through lower-cost, high-volume mobility options, said Singh.
