Uber brings flexible passes, WhatsApp sign-up and new safety tools to 2 million drivers in India
Uber has announced new features for its more than 2 million driver partners in India, covering flexible subscription passes, easier sign-up, safety tools and new ways to earn. They were unveiled this week at Uber Pragati, the company’s driver event, and reported on 30 and 31 October.
The headline change is the Flexible Drive Pass, with subscription options from six hours to 180 days, so part-time and full-time drivers can pick a pass that fits how they work. Drivers can now join Uber through WhatsApp, with a new Quickstart sign-up, and Earn First, Pay Later lets eligible drivers keep taking cash trips after their balance runs out, within an extra credit limit. Uber has also added voice notes to its in-app chat and a simpler Driver App for earnings, trip details and updates.
On safety, Uber says ambulance help through its round-the-clock Safety Line, run with Dial 4242, has been used 25 times in under four months after accidents. Its Record My Ride feature records video in encrypted form, and Uber says a recording has already helped police settle the facts of a disputed incident between a driver and a rider. A new Safety Content Flag will warn riders about inappropriate messages, and drivers who get such messages can cancel those trips without penalty.
New ways to earn include Bike Intercity for shorter trips between nearby towns and cities, including Delhi to Meerut, deliveries through Uber Direct and Uber Parcel, rides for passengers with pets through Uber Pet, and rewards for referring new drivers. Uber says many features are already live in some places, with a wider rollout to follow, but it has given no single nationwide launch date.
Why it matters
India is one of Uber’s biggest markets, so small changes to pay, flexibility and safety affect about 2 million drivers and the service millions of riders rely on. Short passes and cash-trip credit matter most to part-time drivers, while the safety tools answer a long-running worry for drivers working late.
What happens next
The rollout will show which features reach which cities and when. Drivers and riders will be watching whether the new passes save drivers money in practice and whether the safety features work as promised in real trips.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://trak.in/stories/uber-introduces-suubscription-passes-for-20-lakh-drivers-in-india/ (Trak.in, 31 October 2026)
- https://mediabrief.com/uber-unveils-new-driver-features-at-third-edition-of-uber-pragati/ (MediaBrief, 30 October 2026)
