Ride-hailing giant Uber has launched its "Uber for Teens" service in India, a move aimed at expanding its user base in the country and taking on domestic rivals. The service, which is currently live in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai, will be expanded to 35 cities in the coming weeks, including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune.

Uber for Teens allows parents and guardians to set up accounts for their teenagers (between 13 and 17 years old) so they can request trips directly using their own devices. The service includes features like live trip tracking and opt-in audio recording, providing an added layer of safety and security for teenagers. Guardians can also book rides for teenagers and set monthly trip limits to restrict the number of trips.

In India, Uber requires guardians to add a credit or debit card to their account to invite a teenager to their family profile. Once added, guardians and teens can book rides using any payment method, including cash. Interestingly, teens can also bring riders aged between 13-17 with them, although it is unclear how the consent mechanism for this will work.

As an added safety measure, Uber will perform additional background checks on drivers. This move comes nearly two years after the service was launched in the U.S. and Canada, as Uber plans to grow in India and take on domestic rivals Ola, Rapido, Namma Yatri, and BluSmart.

Uber for Teens is currently live in about 50 countries, according to the company's Q4 results statement last month. The company has also introduced separate profiles for teenagers in some markets, letting them pay using their own payment methods and cash.

The launch of Uber for Teens in India is part of the company's efforts to cater to the country's changing transportation needs. In recent months, Uber has added several features like concurrent rides, flexible pricing, and prepaid item pickups. The company also recently ditched commissions on auto-rickshaw bookings, instead instituting a daily subscription charge.

The expansion of Uber for Teens in India is expected to have significant implications for the ride-hailing market in the country. With its focus on safety and security, Uber is likely to attract a large number of teenage users, who will be able to request trips independently while still being monitored by their guardians. As the service expands to more cities, it will be interesting to see how Uber's domestic rivals respond to this new development.

In the broader context, the launch of Uber for Teens in India highlights the company's commitment to expanding its user base and increasing its market share in the country. With its focus on safety, security, and convenience, Uber is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory in India and beyond.