Uber enters B2B logistics, adds metro ticketing for Bengaluru commuters

Uber on Wednesday announced its foray into the B2B logistics market with the launch of Uber Direct, powered by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), while also rolling out metro ticketing for Bengaluru commuters on the Uber app effective December 10.

The company said Uber Direct acts as a logistics engine for businesses, unlike Uber Courier which is booked directly by customers through the Uber app. Users place orders on a seller’s app or website, and deliveries are fulfilled by Uber Direct without any interaction with Uber until the delivery partner arrives.

“This makes Uber Direct, powered by ONDC, a standardised, plug-and-play solution for enterprises that need reliable, flexible and scalable delivery support,” the company said.

Uber said the service went live earlier in the day on ONDC’s open digital rails, with drivers completing grocery deliveries for brands such as Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh.

“Uber Direct will be expanded to food delivery within a couple of weeks, fulfilling orders for global brands such as KFC, Burger King and Taco Bell, as well as Indian brands like Rebel Foods,” it added.

Speaking at the launch, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said Bengaluru—“a playground for innovation”—is a natural choice for deepening Uber’s integration with ONDC.

“The launch of Metro ticketing and Uber Direct in Bengaluru helps us bring alive our vision to help people ‘Go anywhere, Get anything’, and we are excited to build that at scale with ONDC,” he said.

With this launch, Bengaluru joins Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in offering QR-based metro tickets on the Uber app. Users can purchase tickets for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and access real-time travel information, with UPI as the exclusive payment method, the company added.