Uber has announced a set of new driver earning, onboarding and safety features in India, including flexible subscription passes, WhatsApp-based registration, ambulance assistance and encrypted in-app video recordings. The company unveiled the measures at the third edition of Uber Pragati on Thursday, positioning them as changes aimed at making work on its platform more flexible, safer and less interrupted.
The new Flexible Drive Pass allows drivers to select subscription periods ranging from six hours to 180 days. Uber said the passes are intended for both part-time and full-time drivers, giving them more choice over how they access the platform.
The company has also introduced Quickstart, which allows prospective drivers to join Uber through WhatsApp. Uber described the feature as an industry first in ride-hailing. Another feature, called Earn First, Pay Later, allows eligible drivers to continue accepting cash trips after their account balance is exhausted, subject to an additional credit limit. The measure is designed to prevent an interruption to their working day.
Uber is also adding voice-note communication between drivers and riders through its in-app chat. A simplified Driver App brings earnings information, trip details and important updates together. The company said these changes were developed in response to driver feedback.
The safety package includes Ambulance Assistance, available through Uber’s 24/7 Safety Line in partnership with Dial 4242. According to the company, the service has been used 25 times in less than four months to help riders and drivers access medical support after accidents.
Uber’s Record My Ride feature uses encrypted video recordings to document events during a trip. The company said the feature has already helped police establish facts in a disputed incident involving a rider and a driver. Uber is also introducing Safety Content Flag, which identifies potentially inappropriate language in real-time chats and prompts riders to reconsider messages before sending them. Drivers receiving inappropriate messages can cancel eligible trips without affecting their cancellation statistics.
The Driver Safety Hub brings safety tools and support into one place. Uber said drivers can keep selected protections, including audio recording and trip-sharing, enabled automatically through the hub.
The company is expanding earning options beyond conventional passenger trips as well. Bike Intercity will allow bike drivers to take shorter journeys between neighbouring towns and cities, including routes such as Delhi-Meerut. Uber Direct will enable business deliveries, while Uber Parcel will support delivery of personal packages within cities. Participating car drivers will also be able to serve passengers travelling with pets through Uber Pet. Uber said its refer-and-earn programme would continue to reward drivers who bring new earners onto the platform.
Aditya Kapoor, director of supply operations at Uber India and South Asia, said the company wanted to remain a platform for flexible earning, with safety protections and additional ways for drivers to generate income. The newly announced features will be implemented through Uber’s driver platform and safety systems in India.
