inDrive brings back 1% commission as rising fuel costs squeeze SA ride-hailing drivers

inDrive 1% commission is back in Johannesburg and Pretoria, giving participating ride-hailing drivers the opportunity to keep 99% of their fare income from 1 October to 31 December 2026 as rising fuel costs put renewed pressure on earnings.

South African ride-hailing drivers are entering October under growing financial pressure as higher petrol and diesel prices increase the cost of working on the road.

Against this backdrop, inDrive has brought back its 1% commission initiative, giving participating drivers in Johannesburg and Pretoria the opportunity to retain 99% of their fare income for three months.

The initiative runs from 1 October to 31 December 2026 and comes as motorists face further pressure from rising petrol and diesel costs.

For drivers who rely on their vehicles as a primary source of income, fuel is one of the biggest day-to-day operating expenses. Higher pump prices can therefore have a direct impact on how much money remains after completing trips.

How inDrive 1% commission works

Under the initiative, participating inDrive drivers will pay just 1% commission on fares during the three-month period.

Ashif Black, Country Representative for inDrive South Africa, says the move is intended to provide drivers with some relief while operating costs remain elevated.

“Fuel is one of the biggest costs drivers have to absorb every day, so when prices rise as sharply as they have this year, the impact on their earnings is immediate,” says Black.

“Bringing back our 1% commission gives drivers an opportunity to keep more of each fare at a time when the cost of being on the road is under renewed pressure.”

The initiative effectively means that a driver earning R100 on a trip would retain R99 before other operating expenses and applicable costs.

Rising fuel prices add to pressure

The development comes after motorists experienced significant fuel price increases during September.

According to the information provided by inDrive, petrol prices increased by R1.34 per litre for both grades in September, while diesel prices rose by between R2.94 and R3.15 per litre.

Further increases were also being projected for October based on Central Energy Fund data and prevailing fuel price recoveries.

For professional drivers, the impact of higher fuel prices extends beyond the cost of filling a tank. More expensive fuel increases the cost of completing every trip, potentially reducing the amount drivers earn from the fares they collect.

This has made the percentage taken by ride-hailing platforms an increasingly important consideration for drivers trying to manage their monthly income and vehicle expenses.

inDrive’s peer-to-peer model

The company says its model also gives drivers and passengers greater flexibility because they can agree on fares rather than relying solely on fixed prices.

Outside the temporary 1% commission initiative, inDrive says its commission globally, including in South Africa, does not exceed 12%.

Black says reducing the platform’s commission during a period of higher operating costs is intended to put more of the fare value back into drivers’ hands.

“South African drivers work incredibly hard and have been vocal about the need for fairer systems,” he says.

“When operating costs are rising, reducing the amount the platform takes means more of every fare stays with the driver.”

What the initiative means for drivers

The temporary commission reduction could provide some breathing room for drivers dealing with higher fuel and vehicle-related expenses.

However, fuel is only one component of the cost of operating a ride-hailing vehicle. Drivers must also account for vehicle finance or repayments, maintenance, tyres, insurance, licensing, servicing and other running costs.

For drivers who complete large numbers of trips, retaining a greater percentage of each fare could nevertheless make a meaningful difference over the three-month period.

“We know that a sustainable ride-hailing sector depends on drivers being able to earn a viable income,” says Black. “The pressures they face on the road are real, and fuel prices are a significant part of that.”

The 1% commission initiative is available to participating inDrive drivers in Johannesburg and Pretoria from 1 October until 31 December 2026.