If you’ve ever found yourself fretting over the unpredictability of Uber fares, there’s good news on the horizon. Uber is rolling out a new feature called ‘Uber Flex,’ giving users in India the power to choose their ride fare based on personal preferences, as reported by TechCrunch.
This approach is not entirely groundbreaking for Indian users, as California-based InDrive has already implemented a similar model, allowing users to set their preferred fare. Notably, InDrive’s pricing is reputed to be 10 to 15 percent more economical than other major ride-hailing services in India, such as Uber and Ola.
Uber initiated testing of the Uber Flex feature in October last year and expanded the trial to several Indian cities, including Aurangabad, Ajmer, Bareilly, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Gwalior, Indore, Jodhpur, and Surat. “We are piloting this feature in some of the Tier 2 and 3 markets in India currently,” stated Uber.
How Uber Flex Works:
Uber Flex provides riders with a range of nine pricing options during the booking process, deviating from the usual dynamic pricing model. Among these options, one price is set as the default or initial fare.
Upon selecting a specific fare, the chosen price is shared with nearby drivers. Riders gain the flexibility to choose a fare that aligns with their budget.
Drivers, upon receiving the proposed fare, have the liberty to either accept or decline the ride based on the offered fare. If the fare is acceptable, the driver proceeds to accept the ride and provides the service at the agreed-upon price. In cases where the fare is not agreeable, drivers have the option to decline the ride.
This system places more control in the hands of riders, allowing them to set the price they are comfortable paying. Simultaneously, drivers have the autonomy to decide whether to accept or decline based on the fare offered by the rider.
Uber is primarily introducing this feature for more affordable Uber Go trips within and between cities, occasionally extending it to fancier Premier rides and auto-rickshaw trips.
Payment for these rides can be made in cash or through digital payment methods. It’s important to note that not all ride types in every city will feature this flexible pricing from Uber.
While Uber is currently testing the Flex feature in other countries such as Lebanon, Kenya, and Latin America, plans are underway to implement this innovative pricing model in major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
