In the latest episode of the Alter Ego podcast, Uklon’s Vice President for Expansion Maksym Ostapiuk spoke with Kirill Altman about how the taxi market in Tashkent is changing. He noted that the traditional “street-hailing taxi” model is gradually fading, while app-based ride-hailing is becoming dominant. This was reported by kursiv.uzreports.
Ostapiuk describes ride-hailing primarily not as a transport service but as a technology solution: the service acts as an intermediary between passenger and driver, ensuring a smooth trip. One of the key differences is transparency: before placing an order, the user sees the price, route, vehicle details, and the driver’s rating. There is no bargaining or unexpected extra charges.
Most drivers on the service are private car owners: they decide when to work and how much time to allocate to the platform. Another portion connects through partner fleets.
According to figures cited by the vice president, a single car can carry 25 or more customers in a day. In Tashkent, some professional drivers earn up to about 25 million UZS per month. Average income is around 10 million UZS, but the final amount can increase due to the number of completed orders, bonus programs, and vehicle branding—branding adds an extra $150–170 per month.
A key part of the discussion focused on the dynamic pricing mechanism. When demand spikes—such as during rain, snow, or major events—fewer drivers are available, and the system temporarily applies a surge multiplier. The in-app “price slider” gives passengers a choice: a more expensive option with a higher chance of a faster pickup, or the base fare with potentially longer waiting time.
Ostapiuk said this approach balances supply and demand, helps keep the service available even during peak load, and distributes orders more efficiently.
According to Uklon statistics, nearly 55% of all trips in Uzbekistan are in Tashkent—meaning more than 14 million orders per month. The company holds 8–10% of the market. Ostapiuk noted that Uklon has invested over $10 million so far, with a significant share of funds directed to marketing.
Uklon has been operating in Uzbekistan for about two and a half years and continues to invest in business development. The company is currently focusing on growth and optimizing service unit economics, aiming to reach break-even in 2027–2028.
By the vice president’s estimate, the ride-hailing market will continue to grow at an average rate of 10–15% per year. Stronger competition, the development of ecosystem services, and an increase in the number of fleets will reduce pickup times and improve service efficiency.
Ostapiuk sees ride-hailing as an integral part of the city’s transport system and a solution that complements public transit. It covers everyday mobility needs—evening trips, hard-to-access areas, and “door-to-door” routes. He also noted that one ride-hailing car carries an average of 20–25 passengers per day, while a private car is typically used by only one owner, which can reduce the number of private vehicles on city streets and ease the burden on infrastructure.
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