New Ride-Hailing Service in Bali Offers Tourists More Transportation Choices

Bali, Indonesia – Tourists exploring the enchanting island of Bali now have expanded transportation options as a new ride-hailing service provider, inDrive, has officially launched in the province. This development comes amid ongoing tensions between local taxi drivers and rideshare companies, promising to bring both affordable fares and enhanced transparency to travelers navigating the island’s myriad attractions.

Growth in Ride-Hailing Options

In recent years, the rise of online taxi apps has transformed the taxi landscape in Bali; however, it has also led to growing friction between local drivers and the platforms, particularly in balancing competition in the marketplace. With the introduction of inDrive, travelers can now choose between several brands, including local companies like Bluebird, as well as popular rideshare names like Grab and GoJek, to find transportation that best meets their needs.

Officially launched on February 3 by Ryan Rwanda, a representative from inDrive, the company seeks to set itself apart by allowing fare negotiation. Rwanda emphasized that inDrive is unique in that it requires agreements between drivers and passengers regarding pricing and pickup locations, fostering an experience that both parties can endorse. “Here, the price and pick-up location are agreed upon by both parties, creating a trip that everyone agrees on. There is great potential here, and since 2019 we have seen this potential proven by the excellent market in five cities in Indonesia,” he stated.

Simplified Registration for Drivers

For local taxi drivers, inDrive presents a welcome opportunity with its straightforward registration process. Many current drivers for Grab and GoJek are already familiar with the ride-hailing app landscape, making the transition to inDrive seamless. Rwanda noted that the registration for inDrive is particularly accessible, allowing numerous two-wheeled and four-wheeled drivers to join the platform with ease.

The platform’s ability to create an equitable transport service is part of its appeal, providing a pricing model that encourages direct negotiations rather than relying on algorithms establishing fare amounts. This unique approach, along with a competitive, lower commission rate, ensures that drivers retain a larger portion of their earnings from each ride.

Commitment to Safety and Local Drivers

Passenger safety has been a primary concern for inDrive, which has instituted a photo-and-video-based registration system for effective driver verification. Rwanda also highlighted the platform’s dedication to support provincial regulations designed to amplify opportunities for local Bali-based drivers.

‘For cars with DK plates [Denpasar], there are specific license or monitoring card requirements, but we provide additional options for those who want to join,” he disclosed.

Afanasy Petrov, another representative of inDrive, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to freedom and transparency for drivers and passengers alike. “Unlike other ride-hailing platforms, inDrive does not set prices unilaterally and has the lowest commission in the ride-hailing market, so drivers can enjoy more optimal income. In addition, inDrive gives drivers full flexibility to choose trips that suit their preferences,” Petrov explained.

Expansion and Popularity of inDrive

inDrive, founded in 2013 in Yakutsk, Russia, has gained traction globally, recording over 200 million downloads and operating across 700 cities in 45 countries. The app ranks as the second largest ridesharing service globally based on downloads and recently achieved 5 billion rides in September 2024.

The inDrive app is available for download for both iPhone and Android users via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Ongoing Industry Tensions

Despite the allure of new services like inDrive, Bali’s taxi industry faces challenges. In early January 2025, members of the Bali Tourism Driver Struggle Forum (FPDP) marched to the Regional People’s Representative Council of Bali to advocate for improved safety measures and protective regulations for local taxi drivers against the encroachment of online services.

As Bali continues to attract millions of tourists annually, the hopeful introduction of inDrive brings a renewed focus on driver fairness and passenger options, all while reflecting the evolving dynamics of the island’s transportation landscape.