Chennai Biggest User Of Uber Reserve In 2024

Chennai was the highest adopter of Uber Reserve in 2024, recording the highest percentage of pre-booked rides relative to total trip volume through the last year. The southern tech hub was closely followed by Bangalore and Hyderabad in terms of advance booking penetration, according to company data released on Thursday.

India's ride-hailing landscape witnessed a significant shift in 2024 as Uber's advance booking service saw unprecedented growth, with reservations jumping nearly 200 per cent compared to the previous year.

The ride-hailing giant's Reserve feature, which allows passengers to schedule trips up to three months ahead, has gained substantial traction across major metropolitan areas, thus, changing how travellers approach transportation planning.

Airport connectivity dominated usage patterns, with nearly 25 per cent of all airport drop-offs now using the pre-booking system. This trend reflects the increasing preference of travellers for guaranteed transportation. 

Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai captured the largest share of airport-related advance bookings.

Airport transfers represented approximately 40 per cent of all Reserve trips during the reporting period, establishing themselves as the service's primary application. However, usage patterns extended well beyond aviation-related travel.

The platform recorded notable spikes during culturally significant periods, with advance bookings rising 15 per cent ahead of major celebrations including Diwali, Eid, and Christmas. Wedding seasons and examination periods also generated increased demand for pre-scheduled transportation.

Intercity travel demonstrated particularly strong growth, with reservations climbing 40 per cent during the Diwelli festival season and approximately 30 per cent during extended holiday weekends throughout 2024.

User behaviour analysis revealed that customers could schedule rides up to 90 days in advance, with one notable case of an 89-day advance booking. The typical lead time averaged nine hours during 2024.

Peak booking windows clustered around early morning hours, specifically 4-6 AM for flight departures and 7-10 AM for business commutes, indicating strong correlation with professional and travel schedules.

Corporate adoption through Uber for Business surged 140 per cent year-over-year, now accounting for 10 per cent of total Reserve bookings. This growth signals increasing enterprise preference for predictable, pre-arranged transportation solutions.

The data suggests that advance booking services are becoming integral to India's urban mobility ecosystem, as riders increasingly prioritize certainty and control over spontaneous ride requests. This behavioural shift indicates a maturing market where planned transportation competes effectively with on-demand services.