Tag: Himanshu Tandon

  • A billion journeys, countless stories: How India Ubered through 2024

    A billion journeys, countless stories: How India Ubered through 2024

    MUMBAI: The year 2024 raced by like a city cab weaving through rush-hour traffic, filled with moments of highs and lows, triumphs and challenges. 

    Yet, amidst the chaos, millions of Indians found their sanctuary in the backseat of an Uber, trusting the app to take them home safely, no matter the hour or occasion. From early morning commutes that witnessed dreams in the making to late-night rides after celebrations under city lights, Uber became the silent witness to India’s stories.

    With 9.2 billion kilometres covered, Uber’s wheels spun across highways and alleys, connecting lives and destinations. Each trip carried the essence of urban India—its resilience, ambition, and zest for life—cementing Uber’s role as more than a ride-hailing app, but a part of the nation’s daily pulse.

    This is the story of How India Ubered in 2024, a data-rich narrative of the trends, journeys, and choices that defined a year of movement and momentum.

    Uber trips covered a distance equivalent to the time it would take 8,752 years to traverse at 120 km/h – the same time humans evolved from the Stone Age to the AI era. Kochi riders emerged as the nation’s most loved, receiving an impressive average rating of 4.90, while Delhi-NCR topped the charts for total trips.

    Key highlights from 2024:

    Rider preferences and patterns:

    • Most popular products: Uber Auto and Uber Go.

    • Most active cities: Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata.

    • Peak travel time: 6 PM to 7 PM.

    • Top day for rides: Friday.

    • Busiest month: December.

    • Highest single-day trips: October 9, during Durga Puja and Navratri.

    Rider Ratings (Citywise)

    City

    Average Rider Rating

    Kochi

    4.90

    Chandigarh

    4.816

    Pune

    4.815

    Ahmedabad

    4.810

    Jaipur

    4.784

    Bangalore

    4.781

    Hyderabad

    4.779

    Chennai

    4.744

    National Average

    4.74

    Lucknow

    4.739

    Delhi NCR

    4.714

    Mumbai

    4.711

    Kolkata

    4.649

    Late-night trends

    • Mumbai recorded the most late-night rides, surpassing Delhi-NCR.

    Work commutes

    • Bengaluru had the highest number of office-hour rides.

    India’s intercity highlights:

    Top routes:

    • Mumbai – Pune.

    • Delhi – Agra.

    • Bangalore – Mysore.

    • Lucknow – Kanpur.

    • Ahmedabad – Vadodara.

    Longest trips:

    • Noida-Sasaram-Noida (1747 km).

    • Delhi-Ayodhya-Delhi (1464 km).

    Green mobility and new products

    • EV travel: Riders covered 170 million kilometres in electric vehicles, saving 8.5 million hours and contributing to reduced carbon emissions.

    • Innovative launches:

      • Uber Black (premium service).

      • Uber Shuttle (licensed app-based bus service).

      • Uber Pet (for domesticated animals).

      • Uber Shikara (Dal Lake rides in Srinagar).

    Most visited tourist spot:

    • The Taj Mahal in Agra topped the charts for Uber Intercity rides.

    Unique milestones:

    • Uber Courier completed the highest deliveries at lunch hour (1 PM), with one user booking 2,900 courier trips.

    • Uber Bus introduced 432,000 first-time users to app-based mass transit.

    Speaking about the report, Uber India country head, Himanshu Tandon said, “2024 was a landmark year for Uber India. Our data underscores the evolving needs of riders across the country, and we are thrilled to have played a pivotal role in their journeys. From green mobility to innovative services, Uber remains committed to redefining urban mobility while fostering sustainable development.”

    Uber’s report paints a vivid picture of how Indians embraced ridesharing to stay connected, marking 2024 as a transformative year for mobility.
     

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  • Poco partners with Akshay Kumar ahead of X7 series launch

    Poco partners with Akshay Kumar ahead of X7 series launch

    MUMBAI: In a blockbuster move straight out of a high-octane action scene, Poco India has roped in Indian cinema’s quintessential Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, as its brand ambassador.

    Just as daring and dynamic as its ambassador, Poco is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated Poco X7 series, promising a launch event as thrilling as an Akshay Kumar stunt. His association aligns seamlessly with the X7 series campaign, “Xceed Your Limits,” which aims to motivate users to challenge conventions and aim for extraordinary possibilities.

    Set to take place on 9 January at 5:30 pm, this collaboration isn’t just a partnership—it’s a story of two forces, ‘Made of MAD’, joining hands to redefine the way India sees smartphones.

    The Poco X7 series promises revolutionary features in the premium affordable segment. The Poco X7 stands out with the most durable 1.5K AMOLED 3D Curved Display in its class, while the X7 Pro boasts the segment’s largest 6550mAh battery featuring advanced Silicon Carbon Technology and a solid electrolyte. Both models run on the cutting-edge Xiaomi HyperOS 2.0, delivering next-gen AI capabilities for an enhanced user experience. Engineered for durability, efficiency, and superior performance, the Poco X7 5G and X7 Pro 5G redefine value and innovation at pocket-friendly prices.

    Speaking about the announcement, Poco India country head, Himanshu Tandon said, “At Poco, we’ve always embraced bold choices that reflect our vision of delivering innovative technology and empowering the next generation. Akshay Kumar’s fearless persona and mass appeal make him the perfect fit for a brand that thrives on breaking boundaries and redefining value. His partnership, coupled with the X7 series launch, highlights our strategic focus on scaling new heights and delivering transformative experiences as we gear up for an exciting 2025.”

    Kumar shared his excitement, “Partnering with Poco is an exciting new chapter for me. I’ve always admired brands that dare to be different, and Poco’s fearless approach to innovation and its ‘Made of MAD’ philosophy truly resonate with my personality. The X7 series campaign, ‘Xceed Your Limits,’ reflects the energy and determination I believe in – pushing boundaries and striving for excellence. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey as Poco inspires India’s youth to embrace bold choices and redefine possibilities in technology.”

    This dual announcement signals Poco’s growth trajectory and intent to dominate India’s tech landscape. With Akshay Kumar amplifying the brand’s visibility and the X7 series launch imminent, Poco is poised to deliver a bold and transformative user experience, capturing the market’s excitement.