Online Transport Industry Seeks Balance Between Fares and Commissions
The ride-hailing industry in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region continues to undergo significant changes due to rising operational costs, regulatory dynamics, and demands for transparency and driver protection. In this developmental phase, industry players are beginning to treat the balance between fares, commissions, and ecosystem sustainability as a strategic issue that will determine the growth direction of the digital mobility sector.
These changes are also influenced by the growing aspirations of drivers across various countries, who are demanding fairer income structures amidst fluctuating costs such as fuel and increasingly intense service competition. Mark Tolley, Regional Director APAC for inDrive, stated that the increasing driver actions and aspirations in various countries reflect the need for better balance within the industry. “From the Asia-Pacific perspective, driver actions occurring in various countries reflect the growing need for transparency, fairness, and balance within the industry ecosystem,” said Mark Tolley on Monday (18/05/2026).
He explained that while challenges in each country are similar—such as operational cost pressures and commission structures—each market possesses a different context regarding regulation and economic conditions. Therefore, the industry’s approach must combine global principles with local adaptation to remain relevant.
One developing approach is the price negotiation model between drivers and passengers. This system is considered to provide flexibility in fare determination while reflecting real-world conditions. “The negotiation-based pricing model provides flexibility for drivers to adjust fares according to actual conditions, while simultaneously creating transparency because the price is determined through mutual agreement,” said Mark.
Furthermore, industry players are beginning to strengthen communication patterns with driver communities through regular forums, aspiration channels, and interaction facilities in several cities. This approach is deemed essential for maintaining a balanced relationship between platforms and driver partners.
Regarding regulation, governments remain key actors in shaping a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. Collaboration between regulators, industry players, and drivers is increasingly vital to produce policies that are adaptive to the rapid changes in the digital transport sector.
In Indonesia, discussions regarding fare and commission structures are part of the ride-hailing industry’s maturation process. Transparency and competitive commission structures are considered essential to maintain the balance between sustainable driver income and affordability for users.
In terms of protection, strengthening in-app security features and increasing safety standards are among the industry’s primary focuses. This aligns with the need to maintain user trust amidst the increasing activity of app-based services.
Industry players believe that the development of the ride-hailing sector will increasingly be determined by the ability to balance income aspects, driver protection, and user experience within a single sustainable ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region.