Careem ride-haling app customers in Pakistan can now bid their own price

Yasmin Perveen, one of the pioneer women "captains" of Careem, checks her work app before driving her car in Islamabad, Pakistan on December 7, 2016. (REUTERS/File)
Short Url
  • Flexi Ride is currently available only in the cities of Islamabad, Multan and Faisalabad
  • Careem is a Dubai-based super app with operations in over 100 cities in12 countries

ISLAMABAD: Ride-hailing app Careem has launched Flexi Ride this week, allowing customers to bid for and choose their preferred price, the company said.

The service is currently available only in the cities of Islamabad, Multan and Faisalabad, with plans to expand to Lahore and Karachi.

“At the time of booking, an average fare will be displayed to the customers, allowing them to increase or reduce the price,” Careem said in a press release. “The bid will be sent to multiple Captains in the area, allowing them to accept the ride or send a counter-bid. Once the price matches, a Captain will be assigned to the customer, beginning their journey.”

Commenting on the launch of Flexi Ride, Imran Saleem, General Manager Ride Hailing at Careem Pakistan, said by introducing Flexi Rides, the company was “giving customers the flexibility to choose their own fares, all while offering unparalleled experience and the utmost level of safety.”

“Similarly, this will enable the Captains to choose the fares on their own rides, ultimately resulting in a positive impact on their overall earnings,” he added. “We believe this flexibility will resonate with both our customers and Captains making their journey more convenient and enjoyable.”

Careem is a Dubai-based app with operations in over 100 cities, covering 12 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions. The company, which was valued at over $2 billion in 2018, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uber after being acquired for $3.1 billion in January 2020.

Careem launched in Pakistan in 2015. In June 2022, Careem suspended food delivery service in the South Asian country, citing unfavorable economic conditions.