Drivers registered on ride-hailing platform inDrive are typically earning R14,000-R20,000 a month, the company has said, making the case that its fee structure is more competitive than rivals Uber and Bolt.
Compensation for e-hailing drivers continues to be a contentious issue in SA as one of the biggest sources of work in the gig economy — a labour market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.
The country has seen a number of strikes and protests by drivers amid growing frustration over high commission and rigid pricing structures imposed by platforms.
InDrive argues that its model “supports flexible work, keeps more money in drivers’ hands and, as a result, contributes directly to economic opportunity across the country”.
Their model, inDrive says, can earn drivers up to 30% more per ride compared to platforms that charge up to 30% commission. InDrive charges 10% commission for its service, giving drivers as much as R20 more on a R100 fee.
“In a country where youth unemployment remains persistently high, flexible earning presents a major opportunity for thousands of South Africans,” said inDrive country representative Ashif Black.
“Drivers using the app are earning R3,500-R5,000 a week after costs, depending on demand and availability.”
InDrive is a US-based service with more than 240-million downloads, operating in 888 cities across 48 countries. The company is represented in nine SA cities — Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Rustenburg and Polokwane.
It competes against the local industry’s two largest players, Uber and Bolt.
A month ago inDrive said its top 50 drivers make an average of R27,120.35 a month.
According to Black, unlike other platforms where pricing is driven by algorithms, “inDrive allows for direct negotiation between driver and passenger”. The company’s internal data shows that in 70%-80% of trips, drivers initiate or influence the final price.
“The ability to negotiate fares flips the traditional power dynamic and increases fairness, which is a significant draw card for drivers who are seeking agency over their earnings,” Black said.
The company says it has seen positive results since launching its SA operations in 2019. Current driver registration figures are reportedly growing at 18%-25% a year, particularly in newly added cities and underserved areas.
InDrive does not disclose how many drivers it has in SA.
However, Business Day understands that in 2023 the company had 45,000 registered drivers in the country. That would imply up to 67,500 now, other things being equal.
The company says South Africans are increasingly turning to ride-hailing as a complement to public transport. In the first quarter of 2025, average usage across ride-hailing apps in the country was 11 rides a month, according to inDrive’s research.
As such, the company is expanding in areas previously overlooked, having seen trip growth of 25%-30% in a rolling year in previously underserved communities, including Khayelitsha, Vosloorus, Soweto and Mamelodi.
That number is expected to rise as cash-strapped consumers look for better on-demand transport that is reliable and fairly priced.
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