Uber Teen Accounts Pilot in India - Details & Updates

Uber Launches Teen-Focused Ride Service in India

Uber has initiated a pilot program for its Uber for Teens service within India, as first reported by TechCrunch. This expansion marks a significant step for the ride-hailing company in the Indian market.

Initial Rollout and Expansion Plans

Currently, Uber for Teens is operational in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai. Uber has confirmed plans to broaden the service's availability to 35 additional cities in the near future.

These upcoming locations include major metropolitan areas such as Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Service Features and Parental Controls

This service empowers parents and guardians to create accounts for their teenage children, aged 13 to 17. Teenagers can then independently request rides using their personal devices.

Key features include real-time trip tracking and an optional audio recording function for enhanced safety.

Ride Booking and Payment Options

Guardians retain the ability to book rides directly for their teenagers. Furthermore, they can establish monthly trip limits to manage ride frequency.

To initiate the process, guardians in India are required to link a valid credit or debit card to their account before inviting a teenager to join their family profile. Following this, both guardians and teens can utilize various payment methods, including cash, for ride fares.

Additional Rider Considerations

According to support documentation, teenagers are permitted to have fellow passengers between the ages of 13 and 17 accompany them on rides. However, the specific consent procedures for these additional riders remain unclear.

Enhanced Safety Measures

Uber is also implementing more rigorous background checks on its drivers to ensure a safer experience for all passengers, particularly younger riders.

Strategic Market Expansion

This launch follows the service’s introduction in the U.S. and Canada nearly two years ago. It reflects Uber’s strategy to increase its presence in India and compete with local ride-hailing services like Ola, Rapido, Namma Yatri, and BluSmart.

Global Availability and Teen Profiles

Uber for Teens is presently available in approximately 50 countries worldwide, as stated in the company’s Q4 results report. In select markets, Uber has also introduced dedicated profiles for teenagers, allowing them to manage payments independently using their own methods, including cash.

Recent Feature Additions in India

Over recent months, Uber has been actively enhancing its services in India. New features such as concurrent rides, dynamic pricing, and prepaid item pickups have been added to address evolving transportation demands.

Recently, the company also eliminated commissions on auto-rickshaw bookings, opting instead for a daily subscription fee.