Uber has launched a significant expansion into 100 additional Indian cities, bringing its total footprint to 225 cities across the country. According to reports from The Moneycontrol, this rollout spans 18 states and one Union Territory, with the expansion anchored by Uber Bike services. The company is offering free first rides for new users as part of the launch, timed to coincide with India's Independence Day celebrations. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari welcomed the expansion, stating that it aligns with the government's efforts to unlock economic opportunities in smaller cities. Gadkari noted that the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 provide states with a clear path to embrace bike taxis and other new mobility solutions, urging states to adopt the Guidelines and enable affordable first- and last-mile connectivity for their citizens while boosting livelihood creation at scale.
As reported by Business Standard, India is already Uber's largest market globally by the number of earners and third-largest by trip volume. Rishant Ghosh, director for consumer and growth at Uber India and South Asia, emphasized that going deeper into India is not a side bet but an important part of the company's long-term growth strategy. The expansion targets tier-two and tier-three markets where Uber will compete more directly with Rapido and Ola, building on the growing role of two-wheelers in India's everyday mobility. Ghosh stated that expanding to 100 new cities marks an important milestone as the company takes Uber deeper into India and strengthens access to reliable, affordable mobility to millions. However, The Economic Times reports that Uber now sees Rapido as its biggest competitor in India, with the company recently infusing ₹3,000 crore into its India operations to strengthen its position.
According to The Moneycontrol, Uber is launching Bike operations across the 100 new cities, offering an affordable option for everyday journeys and first- and last-mile connectivity. Ghosh explained that bikes are affordable, time-efficient and well suited to single travellers on short journeys, offering a practical way to navigate congestion in smaller, increasingly crowded cities. A majority of Uber trips in India already happen on two- or three-wheelers, making this an affordable product that fits how people already move. The service will cater to everyday journeys, including short-distance travel and first- and last-mile connectivity, while giving local drivers flexible earning opportunities using an asset many already own. Uber currently operates a multimodal platform including bikes, autos, cars, and intercity services, with the platform currently enabling more than 2 million Indians to earn an income.
As reported by The Economic Times, the competitive landscape has intensified with Rapido recently raising $240 million, led by Prosus, with participation from WestBridge Capital, Accel and other investors. The funding will be used largely to expand Rapido's presence in tier-2 and other markets beyond the major cities. Ghosh stated that the company supports regulation and what the category needs is clear, predictable regulation that allows innovation to grow responsibly. When asked about competition with Rapido in bikes and smaller cities, Ghosh said strong competition validated the size of the opportunity, with the company confident about its position and the opportunity ahead.
According to The Moneycontrol, once bikes are established, Uber plans to bring other products from its portfolio based on each market's needs. Ghosh explained that the company's broader ambition is to build a multimodal mobility platform where Uber adapts to how people actually move, rather than expecting every Indian city to move the same way. The platform currently spans Bike and Auto for everyday journeys, cars, airport rides and intercity trips, alongside integrations with public transport. Uber will initially launch Bike services across the new cities, from Jammu in the north to Tirunelveli in the south, Silchar in the east and Jamnagar in the west.
