Uber has expanded its commission-free subscription model to car drivers in Bangladesh, allowing them to pay a subscription fee instead of a commission on each trip as the ride-hailing company looks to attract more drivers and increase activity on its platform.
Drivers can choose between two subscription plans: a time-based option that allows them to access the platform for a fixed period after paying a subscription fee, and an earnings-based option under which the subscription is linked to their income on the platform.
In both cases, subscribed drivers retain 100 per cent of their trip fares after paying the applicable subscription fee, Uber said in a statement on Sunday.
The rollout follows the introduction of the same model for bike drivers earlier this year, extending Uber’s subscription-based approach to its car service in Bangladesh.
The company said the added flexibility is intended to accommodate both full-time and part-time drivers by allowing them to select a payment model that best matches how they drive.
The subscription model differs from the conventional ride-hailing system, where platforms deduct a commission from every completed trip.
Instead, drivers pay a separate subscription fee and keep the full fare from each ride, making their costs more predictable regardless of the number of trips they complete.
“Following the positive response to hybrid subscriptions for bike drivers, we’re pleased to extend the model to car drivers in Bangladesh,” said Redwan Rezvi, country general manager of Uber Bangladesh.
“By giving drivers more choice in how they subscribe, we’re making it easier for them to access earning opportunities while continuing to deliver a reliable and safe experience for riders.”
Uber said the expansion is also intended to encourage more trips through its platform, where rides include GPS tracking, transparent fares and in-app safety features for both riders and drivers.
The company did not disclose subscription fees or estimate how many car drivers are expected to adopt the new model.
Uber said it has served more than 7.2 million riders and created earning opportunities for more than 3.50 lakh drivers in Bangladesh till the end of 2024.
