Uber launches Uber Direct on ONDC in Bengaluru; President says, 'The city is a playground for innovation'

Uber has launched Uber Direct, its first dedicated B2B logistics service in India, marking a significant expansion beyond its core ride-hailing and consumer courier operations.

The new hyperlocal delivery offering is integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and is currently live in Bengaluru.

At launch, Uber Direct is handling grocery deliveries for partners such as Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh. The company plans to extend the service to food delivery in the coming weeks, working with brands including KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell and Rebel Foods.

Uber said it will also expand Uber Direct into other categories such as e-commerce logistics as it rolls out the service to more cities in 2026.

Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia, said Bengaluru was chosen as the first market because it is “a playground for innovation” and offers the right environment to deepen the company’s integration with ONDC.

“Bangalore is a natural place for us to solve for mobility and the logistical needs of people and businesses,” he said. Singh added that the launch of metro ticketing and Uber Direct in the city helps Uber build its vision to enable people to “Go anywhere, Get anything” at scale through ONDC.

Uber Direct is positioned as a plug-and-play logistics engine for enterprises, distinct from Uber Courier, which is booked directly by consumers through the Uber app.

Under the new model, customers place orders on a seller’s app or website, and Uber fulfils the delivery without any direct consumer interaction until the delivery partner arrives.

Uber said the framework is designed for merchants that want access to a delivery network without maintaining their own fleet. The firm already offers courier services such as Uber Courier and Uber Courier X, which it claims have seen strong adoption among small businesses and consumers.

The service enters a competitive B2B hyperlocal logistics segment currently served by players such as Shadowfax, Delhivery and Loadshare. Shadowfax manages quick deliveries for platforms like Nykaa and Myntra, while Loadshare handles fulfilment for Amazon Now. Delhivery caters to direct-to-consumer brands and retailers.

As part of its expanded ONDC integration, Uber has also introduced metro ticketing for Bengaluru’s Namma Metro on its app, extending a feature already available in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Vibhor Jain, acting CEO and COO of ONDC, said, “Uber’s continued expansion on the ONDC network, first with Metro ticketing in multiple cities and now with Uber Direct, demonstrates the potential of digital commerce,” he said. Jain added that the new service will help provide a standardised logistics layer for businesses across the network, supporting efficiency and innovation in the B2B ecosystem.