Uber forays into B2B logistics; launches metro ticketing in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Uber on Wednesday announced its entry into the B2B logistics space with the launch of Uber Direct, powered by the ONDC.
The company has also rolled out metro ticketing on the Uber app for Bengaluru commuters through Open Network for Digital Commerce, effective December 10.
According to the company, unlike Uber Courier—which is booked directly by customers through the Uber app—Uber Direct functions behind the scenes as a logistics engine for businesses.
Orders are placed by users on a seller’s app or website, and deliveries are fulfilled by Uber Direct without any customer interaction with Uber until the delivery partner arrives.
"This makes Uber Direct, powered by ONDC, a standardised, plug-and-play solution for enterprises that need reliable, flexible and scalable delivery support," the company said.
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Uber said the service went live here earlier in the day, on ONDC’s open digital rails, with drivers fulfilling grocery deliveries for brands such as Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh.
"Uber Direct will be expanded to food delivery within a couple of weeks, fulfilling orders for global brands such as KFC, Burger King and Taco Bell, as well as Indian brands like Rebel Foods," it added.
Speaking at the launch, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said Bengaluru—"a playground for innovation"—is a natural choice for deepening Uber’s integration with ONDC.
"The launch of Metro ticketing and Uber Direct in Bengaluru helps us bring alive our vision to help people ‘Go anywhere, Get anything’, and we are excited to build that at scale with ONDC," he said.
With this launch, after Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, Uber users in Bengaluru can purchase QR-based metro tickets and access real-time information for the Bangalore Metro (BMRCL) within the Uber app, using UPI as the exclusive payment method, the company added.
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K’taka HC declines stay on menstrual leave order, says issue of public importance
Bengaluru: The State Government has strongly defended its decision to grant one day of paid menstrual leave every month to women employees, telling the Karnataka High Court that the notification was issued in the larger interest of women and is legally sound. The Court, treating the matter as one of significant public importance, refused to stay the implementation of the order and adjourned the hearing to January 20.
The Labour Department’s November 20, 2025 notification was challenged by the Bangalore Hotels Association, Avirat Defence System, Facile Aerospace Technologies Ltd and Samos Technologies Ltd. Justice Jyoti Mulimani heard the petitions on Wednesday.
At the start of the hearing, the bench asked whether the State had filed its objections. Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty informed the Court that objections had been submitted and that copies would be provided to the petitioners.
Defending the notification, the Advocate General said the government had introduced a progressive measure aimed at women’s welfare, one that no other state in India had implemented so far. He told the Court that 72 objections were received and considered before finalising the notification. He argued that the government was empowered to frame such policy under Article 42 of the Constitution and noted that the Supreme Court and the Law Commission had earlier made recommendations in this direction.
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When the Court asked whether the notification applied to all sectors, the Advocate General replied in the affirmative. The bench observed that the matter required detailed hearing because of its wider public impact and decided to take it up in January. The Court added that petitioners may file their responses to the State’s objections before the next hearing.
Petitioners’ counsel B.K. Prashanth requested that the State be restrained from enforcing the order until the case is decided. The Advocate General responded that the government had already begun implementing the notification across all sectors.
Justice Mulimani noted that nothing would change between now and the next hearing and emphasised that the Court would consider all arguments thoroughly before issuing any direction. The bench then adjourned the matter to January 20 and asked petitioners to file any additional applications with copies to the State’s counsel.
