Indrive Reduces Commission To 1%, Drivers To Keep 99% Of Fare Income In Select Markets

Ride-hailing platform inDrive has stunned the e-hailing sector after announcing that it is reducing its commission to just 1%, allowing drivers in selected South African cities to keep 99% of their fare income during the promotional period. The initiative applies in Johannesburg and Pretoria and is set to run from 1 November to 31 December 2025, according to ITWeb.

Drivers Welcome Major Commission Slash

According to ITWeb, inDrive confirmed that the initiative is meant to ease the financial pressure faced by drivers, especially during a period marked by rising fuel prices and increased frustration over platform fees.

Introducing the announcement, inDrive’s South African country representative Ashif Black said:

“South African drivers work incredibly hard and have been vocal about the need for fairer systems,”
said Black, speaking through the company’s official statement.
“We’ve listened and we’re acting. With the 1% commission initiative, we’re ensuring drivers take home more of what they earn, while riders still enjoy the freedom to agree on fair, affordable fares.”

The move comes as drivers across the country continue to raise concerns over commission rates charged by other platforms. For example, Uber and Bolt charge 25%, with Bolt adding a 4% booking fee for riders.

Industry Pressure Builds

ITWeb reports that the limited-period offer is one of the strongest signals yet that e-hailing platforms are competing aggressively for driver loyalty. The sector has experienced several protests in recent years, with drivers demanding improved structures and lower commissions.

InDrive’s peer-to-peer model, which allows passengers and drivers to negotiate fares directly, has long positioned the company as an alternative offering more transparency.

The company emphasised that outside the special initiative, its global commission — including in South Africa — “never exceeds 10.95%,” according to ITWeb.

Black added:

“We know that a sustainable transport ecosystem can’t exist without drivers who feel valued.
Our goal is to keep proving that fairness and profitability can go hand-in-hand.”

What It Means For Drivers

The reduced commission means that a driver receiving US$10 (approx. R185) for a trip during the promotion period would keep US$9.90 (approx. R183.15), while inDrive takes just US$0.10 (approx. R1.85).

For many drivers, especially in Johannesburg and Pretoria, this could mean significantly higher monthly earnings during November and December 2025.

According to ITWeb, driver associations have cautiously welcomed the move, describing it as a “positive development” while urging that the offer be extended beyond the festive period.