- Uber is quietly testing flexible pricing called Uber Flex in 12 Indian cities, letting riders bid on fares.
- Uber controls bidding options to ensure fair driver compensation, unlike rival inDrive’s fully flexible model.
- Alongside other India-first services, Flex helps Uber cater to local consumer demand.
Uber has been discreetly trialing a flexible pricing service called Uber Flex in over 12 Indian cities since October 2022. Riders can bid specific fares to nearby drivers, who can then accept or reject the ride. Cities range from metro areas like Chandigarh and Indore to smaller cities like Ajmer and Bareilly.
A unique approach to pricing
Uber Flex lets customers pick from 9 pricing points, capping the lowest bid allowed. This gives riders cost benefits while avoiding issues faced by rival inDrive, where passengers can manually enter any fare.
inDrive drivers have complained of excessively low bids, but the company touts its “unique approach” as fairly compensating drivers.
Catering local consumers
Uber is solving this by controlling the bidding options and minimums. The service is available for affordable Uber Go and Intercity rides in some cities, extending to Premier cabs and auto-rickshaws elsewhere. Uber will soon trial Flex in major metro areas like Delhi and Mumbai.
The move caters to local consumer demand while pressuring rivals. India’s ride-hailing market has seen new electric taxi players like BluSmart enter alongside growth from Ola, Uber, and inDrive.
Launching other exciting services
Uber is also testing other India-specific offerings like traditional cab-hailing and pre-booking models. More flexible pricing options help Uber attract diverse customer segments in a rapidly evolving transportation landscape.
