Uber's Latest Feature Lets Indian Users Choose Their Ride Fare, Check Full Details

Concerns about rising Uber fares have prompted the ride-hailing giant to explore a potential solution. According to a TechCrunch report, Uber is in the process of developing ' Uber Flex ,' a novel feature that empowers users to determine their ride fare based on personal preferences.

Interestingly, a California-based company named InDrive , operating across various Indian cities, already offers a similar option, enabling users to set their preferred fare, which is reportedly 10 to 15 percent more economical than other prominent ride-hailing services in India, including Uber and Ola .

As per the TechCrunch report, Uber commenced testing the Uber Flex feature in October of the previous year, initiating trials in several Indian cities such as Aurangabad , Ajmer, Bareilly , Chandigarh, Coimbatore , Dehradun, Gwalior, Indore, Jodhpur, and Surat . Uber stated, "We are piloting this feature in some of the Tier 2 and 3 markets in India currently."

Here's an overview of how Uber Flex operates:
Uber Flex offers riders nine different pricing options to choose from when booking a ride, diverging from the traditional dynamic pricing model. Among these options, one price is designated as the default or initial fare.

Upon selecting a specific fare from the available options, the chosen fare is shared with nearby drivers. This system grants riders the flexibility to select a fare they find reasonable for their ride.

Upon receiving the proposed fare, drivers have the liberty to either accept or decline the ride based on the fare chosen by the rider. If a driver agrees to the proposed fare, they proceed to accept the ride and provide the service at that particular price. Conversely, if the fare is deemed unacceptable by the driver, they have the option to reject the ride.

This innovative system not only offers riders more control over the price they are willing to pay for their ride but also provides drivers with the choice to accept or decline based on the offered fare.

Uber Flex primarily caters to cost-effective trips using Uber Go within cities or between cities in specific regions. Occasionally, this feature extends to premium Premier rides and auto-rickshaw trips.

Payment for these rides can be made in cash or through digital payment methods. However, it's crucial to note that not all types of rides in every city offer flexible pricing from Uber.

The Uber Flex feature is undergoing testing in other countries such as Lebanon, Kenya, and Latin America. According to TechCrunch, Uber intends to implement this new operating model in major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai in the near future.