Ola enables in-app ‘tipping’, says drivers will retain 100% of the tip

The ride-hailing company Ola has rolled out a new feature that will allow customers to tip their drivers from the app directly. The feature was launched globally by the company in order to help customers to express their gratitude and independently reward drivers for going the extra mile to deliver a safe and high-quality ride experience, an Ola statement said. 

With Ola’s new in-app ‘tipping’ functiona, customers can now include a tip as a token of appreciation for the drivers. The feature has been rolled out to all Ola users across India, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Ola said that the in-app tipping feature will serve as an opportunity for customers to reward drivers for going the extra mile, and contribute to increasing their earning potential. “Customers can choose to voluntarily tip their drivers and the amount will be credited to the drivers’ account in its entirety as part of the regular earnings cycle,” the statement said. 

“As restrictions eased across the country, driver-partners serving on the Ola platform have been going above and beyond to deliver safe, hygienic and high-quality rides. Apart from following a comprehensive safety protocol and sanitising cars after every trip, drivers have taken extra steps personally to keep themselves and their families safe. In this scenario, Driving awareness around this, Ola has also launched a social media campaign, #SayThanksWithATip, which seeks to recognise and reward those drivers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to deliver a great ride experience while drawing a spotlight on their efforts,” the statement added. 

From June 30, the cashless tipping feature will appear in the final step of the payment phase and will allow customers to select a fixed or customised amount that will translate to higher earning potential for these drivers.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our driver-partners worked tirelessly to enable essential travel for all those in need, despite facing their own challenges. As services resume, they continue to personally invest in ensuring the safety of their customers and deliver a comfortable ride experience...Not only will the new functionality provide an opportunity for drivers to increase their earnings but will also showcase how a small gesture of solidarity and support from customers will drive our driver-partner community to go a long way,” said Ola spokesperson Anand Subramanian.

In April this year, Ola Emergency was launched to enable essential medical trips to and from homes to hospitals and vice versa across 25 cities in India. The special service saw hundreds of drivers across the country braving the odds to offer essential mobility services to citizens while following the highest standards of safety and hygiene. 

Ola is touted to be one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies, serving over 250 cities across India, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK including key global markets like London and Sydney.