Uber Launches Rewards Programme to Curb Ride Cancellations by Drivers

Uber, the prominent ride-hailing firm in India, has initiated a rewards program specifically designed for drivers, aiming to significantly reduce the issue of ride cancellations that often perturb customers.

A Multi-Tiered Program with Exclusive Rewards

Uber Pro features a four-tier structure – Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond – with each tier offering progressively increasing benefits and rewards. As drivers progress through the tiers, they gain access to exclusive perks such as:

• Discounted vehicle maintenance and motor insurance

• Microcredit offerings

• Other experiential rewards

Uber Pro: A Rewarding System for Drivers

The newly launched Uber Pro program targets assisting drivers in achieving their personal and professional objectives, both on and off the road. It primarily aims to tackle one of the major challenges—trip cancellations—that riders frequently encounter.

The program, presently operational in 12 cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Jaipur, is set to expand to more cities in the near future, enhancing its nationwide reach and impact.

"Uber Pro rewards drivers who provide a great service to riders by maintaining a high app rating and low trip cancellations. It will go a long way in promoting the adaptation and continued use of the Uber platform and will improve the overall experience on the Uber app," stated Shiva Shailendran, Director of Operations at Uber India & South Asia, on November 2.

Structure of Uber Pro: Tier-Based Recognition

Uber Pro functions on a tier-based system comprising Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers, each signifying varying levels of performance. New drivers commence at the Blue tier and progressively ascend the ladder by accruing "points" for completed trips and meeting specific criteria.

The points accrued by drivers will reset every three months, encouraging consistent and sustained service quality.

"As drivers move towards a higher tier status, they get access to exclusive perks and experiential rewards offered by third parties such as discounted vehicle maintenance, motor insurance, and microcredit offerings," mentioned the media statement.

Enhancing Rider-Driver Interaction

Riders will now have visibility into the tier status of a driver while booking a ride, fostering transparency and a sense of reliability. Simultaneously, drivers will have access to tracking their progress on the Uber app, incentivizing them to achieve higher tiers and reap the associated benefits.

Uber's Efforts to Minimize Trip Cancellations

Uber has been actively engaged in revamping its backend technology to address the issue of ride cancellations. Initiatives such as introducing upfront pricing and providing location details to drivers aim to curtail cancellations, as shared by Manikandan Thangarathnam, senior director of mobility and platforms at Uber, in a previous interview .

The company's focus on customer ratings, payment modes, and destination features, alongside ongoing tests of upfront pricing in select cities, highlights its commitment to studying market reactions and ensuring a balanced and improved service.