Uber, the leading ride-hailing platform, has forged a strategic partnership with the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to explore collaboration opportunities aimed at expanding its array of mobility offerings.
According to Uber, this integration aligns with its core mission of providing safe, affordable, and reliable rides to all Indians, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing accessibility to transportation services.
Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, articulated the company's vision, stating, "Our goal for Uber in India is to cater to the mobility needs of every Indian. This partnership resonates with ONDC's objective of democratizing digital commerce. We are thrilled to embark on this journey through our memorandum of understanding with ONDC, aiming to expedite our efforts in making Uber a go-to platform for fulfilling the daily mobility requirements of every Indian. We are dedicated to playing our role in accelerating and fortifying India's digital transformation."
During a recent event where he conversed with Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani, Uber's global CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized the significance of India's Digital Public Infrastructure, highlighting the potential for companies and governments worldwide to draw inspiration from its scale and ambition. Khosrowshahi underscored Uber's keen interest in open-source technology stacks and the myriad opportunities they offer.
Despite challenges, such as a 58% increase in net losses to INR 311.3 Crores in FY23 compared to INR 196.7 Crores in the preceding fiscal year, Uber has expanded its operations in India, venturing into new territories like Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, Uber's competitor Ola recently joined ONDC to launch food delivery services on the platform, signaling a growing trend of industry players leveraging ONDC's infrastructure to enhance their offerings.
In a similar vein, Bengaluru-based ride-hailing startup Namma Yatri has also joined ONDC, marking its entry into the Delhi market and further underscoring the platform's appeal to players across the mobility sector.
