inDrive eyes 18k drivers in 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Ride-hailing giant inDrive plans to grow its fleet to more than 18,000 drivers this year, as it gains ground across the Philippines for its cheap fares and industry-low commission.

inDrive regional director for Asia Pacific Mark Tolley told reporters the company is eyeing to expand its fleet by 30 to 40 percent in 2025.

If accomplished, this means that inDrive would broaden its fleet to 18,000, from 13,000 last year, bolstering its case as the strongest alternative to ride-hailing leader Grab Philippines.

For 2025, inDrive plans to test how it can integrate more cashless options in its app. Right now, the platform is limited to cash payment and manual transfer through GCash.

Tolley believes there is room for inDrive to bring in cashless methods in the Philippines, as Filipinos are becoming familiar with online ways to transact. However, he said it requires timing to expand digital payments on inDrive.

For one, inDrive tries to maintain its fares as low as possible, and cashless options like credit and debit cards charge service fees that add to cost.

Aside from this, inDrive is studying new areas where it can introduce its services, naming Davao as one of its potential expansion this year.

Currently, inDrive offers its ride-hailing services with four-seater and six-seater options in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Iloilo.

Tolley also confirmed that inDrive will start collecting commission from drivers in 2025. When inDrive resumed its Philippine operations in June 2024, it promised to impose zero commission on drivers for up to six months.

To date, inDrive has yet to collect anything from its drivers even though the six-month guarantee has  lapsed. Tolley said inDrive will charge a 10 percent commission, still cheaper against its rivals, some of which slap as much as 25 percent.

inDrive, headquartered in Mountain View, California, is one of the biggest transport apps in the world, and  was the second most downloaded ride-hailing service in 2023.

inDrive operates in at least 700 cities in 46 countries, with services on freight delivery, intercity transport, task assistance, among others.