Uber has announced a set of new driver-focused features in India, combining flexible subscription passes, WhatsApp-based onboarding, additional delivery and intercity earning options, and new safety tools for drivers and riders.
The initiatives were unveiled at the third edition of Uber Pragati, the company’s driver-focused programme. Uber said the measures are intended to make earning on its platform more flexible, reduce interruptions during working hours and strengthen protections during trips.
The company’s Flexible Drive Pass allows drivers to choose subscription periods ranging from six hours to 180 days. Uber said the passes are designed for both part-time and full-time drivers, giving them more options in how they access the platform.
Through Quickstart, drivers can join Uber using WhatsApp. The company described the service as an industry first in ride-hailing, saying it is intended to simplify onboarding. Another feature, called Earn First, Pay Later, allows eligible drivers to continue accepting cash trips after their balance has run out, subject to an additional credit limit.
Uber is also adding voice notes to its in-app chat between drivers and riders and has simplified its Driver App to bring earnings, trip details and important updates together. The company said these changes were introduced in response to driver feedback.
The new safety measures include Ambulance Assistance, which is available through Uber’s 24/7 Safety Line in partnership with Dial 4242. Uber said the service has been used 25 times in less than four months to help riders and drivers access medical support after accidents.
Uber is also introducing Record My Ride, which uses encrypted video recordings to document events during a trip. According to the company, the feature has helped police establish facts in a disputed incident involving a rider and a driver. The announcement did not provide further details about the incident or the mechanism through which recordings are shared with authorities.
Other safety measures include Safety Content Flag, a real-time chat protection tool that identifies potentially inappropriate language and prompts riders to reconsider messages before sending them. Drivers who receive inappropriate messages can cancel eligible trips without affecting their cancellation statistics. The Driver Safety Hub brings tools such as audio recording and trip-sharing together, with selected protections capable of being enabled automatically.
The company is expanding earning opportunities beyond conventional passenger trips. Bike Intercity allows bike drivers to accept shorter journeys between neighbouring towns and cities, including routes such as Delhi-Meerut. Uber Direct enables delivery orders for businesses, while Uber Parcel allows drivers to deliver personal packages within cities. Uber Pet gives participating car drivers the option to serve riders travelling with pets.
Uber has also retained its refer-and-earn programme, which rewards drivers for bringing new earners onto the platform. Aditya Kapoor, director of supply operations at Uber India and South Asia, said the company wanted to provide drivers with flexible earning opportunities, safety protections and additional ways to earn.
The announcement comes as app-based mobility platforms increasingly combine passenger travel, deliveries and other urban services through the same driver networks. Uber’s latest measures focus on expanding the types of work available through its platform while addressing onboarding, payment continuity, communication and incident response. The company did not disclose the number of drivers expected to use each feature or provide financial targets for the new offerings.
