Uber India introduces SOS integration, instant cash out and upfront tipping for million-plus drivers

Uber, a top ride-hailing app in India, has announced a series of new features, aiming to make its platform safer, easier and fairer for its million-plus drivers. Introduced on Thursday, November 14, the features include an SOS integration, helmet selfie and women rider preference for female drivers.

The company began its operations in India in 2013 and now functions in nearly 125 cities. It now has more than 1 million monthly active drivers in the country who work through the platform to earn flexibly and claims to have more than 17 million active users per month. Uber drivers complete nearly 81 million trips in India, according to a report by The Hindu.

In alignment with the government's Code on Social Security (CoSS), which is focused on creating a safety net for gig workers, the multinational transportation company encouraged drivers to register themselves on the e-Shram portal, a centralised database for gig workers and unorganised workers.

“We continue to support the government’s initiative to provide a social security safety net for gig workers, including Uber drivers in India as we do elsewhere around the world,” Prabhjeet Singh, Uber India and South Asia President, was quoted by The Hindu as saying.

To promote the portal further, the company is offering cash incentives to the first 10,000 drivers who register on the portal.

To encourage participation and accelerate such registrations, Uber is offering cash incentives to the first 10,000 drivers who register on the portal.

Among the new fleet of features introduced, key enhancements for drivers include SOS integration, helmet selfies, women rider preference for female drivers, audio recording, upfront tipping, instant payments and a mentorship program.

Latest updates will empower drivers, improve their safety and offer enhanced convenience with better transparency in their daily functioning, noted Singh.

Features explained