Uber has announced its ambitious plan to expand its intercity route network in India from 3,000 to 4,500 routes by the end of the 2026 calendar year. This follows a 50% year-on-year growth in 2025, when the number of intercity routes rose from 2,000 to over 3,000.
Shweta Mantri, Head of Rider Verticals at Uber India and South Asia, stated, “At the end of calendar year 2024, Uber Intercity was present across 2,000 routes. Uber has increased the intercity routes by 50% to over 3,000 and hopes to grow at the same rate during the next year.”
This move signals Uber's intent to strengthen its position in the $6 billion intercity travel market in India.
Alongside the route expansion, Uber has introduced a pilot program for Uber Intercity Motorhomes, aiming to offer a premium long-distance travel experience. The pilot will run from August 7 to September 6, exclusively for trips originating from the Delhi-NCR region.
Two specially designed motorhomes have been unveiled, and bookings can be made through the regular Uber app. These motorhomes are equipped to offer a luxurious travel-living experience, featuring beds, kitchen space, a bathroom, and entertainment amenities.
Each motorhome accommodates 4 to 5 passengers, along with a driver and a helper. Key onboard amenities include:
Television
Lavatory
Microwave
Mini-refrigerator
Uber is targeting families and small groups taking short leisure trips between 300–500 kilometers. The service aims to provide a comfortable, hassle-free alternative to traditional intercity travel, especially for vacationers seeking privacy and luxury.
Fares for the motorhomes will be higher than Uber’s ‘XL’ category, reflecting the added comfort and convenience.
Uber currently operates in 125 cities across India, offering a mix of services such as:
Bike taxis (Uber Moto)
Auto-rickshaws
Car rides (including UberGo and Premier)
Bus services
The company supports a vast driver network of 1.4 million partners. With the upcoming intercity expansion, Uber aims to capture a larger slice of the Indian intercity mobility space, competing with entrenched local fleet operators.
While Uber’s expansion plan is promising, industry experts believe it still lags behind local fleet operators, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. A transport sector analyst noted, “Local operators still hold a strong position in the intercity market. Although Uber and other app-based services have gained some share, the majority of intercity travelers continue to rely on local providers.”
This means Uber will need to offer both innovation and affordability to convince Indian consumers to shift to its intercity options.
Uber is using the pilot project to assess interest in premium group travel. The company has made it clear that it will scale the offering only if sufficient demand is observed.
Interestingly, during the pilot, Uber won’t charge any commission from operators running these motorhomes, making the offering more attractive for vehicle owners.
With India’s rising disposable income and growing appetite for domestic travel, Uber hopes that premium services like Intercity Motorhomes could become the next big growth driver for the company in the region.