Regardless of where “home” may be, whether it means travelling from bustling cities to the familiar feeling of our hometowns and villages across remote parts of the country, high travel costs, busy roads and unreliable transport can make this trip far from simple.
Rising fuel prices and the spike in travel demand this season mean that getting home, even by road, can become financially burdensome. For travellers seeking a balance between cost and convenience, flexible ride‑hailing solutions are emerging as a viable option.
“For many South Africans, December is an exciting time that signals the chance, sometimes rare for many people, to get back to our roots, relax and reconnect with the people we love. But this trip comes with challenges that many dread every year,” says Ashif Black, country representative for inDrive South Africa. “Travel can be expensive and stressful, but ride-hailing gives people more control over their journey. Passengers can plan trips that fit their budget, while drivers can make decisions that balance distance, fuel and time, helping families get home safely without overspending.”
Ride-hailing for safer, more affordable journeys
One of the ways inDrive in particular is supporting South Africans during the festive season is through its fare negotiation model. Passengers can propose a fare that fits their budget, and drivers can accept trips that make sense for the distance and fuel costs. This flexibility is particularly valuable when travelling long distances between cities or from urban areas to rural towns, helping both passengers and drivers manage costs while making the journey home more achievable.
Safety adds another critical dimension. Recent national data shows the 2024/2025 festive season saw 1,502 road‑traffic fatalities across 1,234 fatal crashes, which was a 5.3 % increase on the previous year. Speeding and dangerous driving behaviour also increased, with a 2024 report by Discovery Insure recording a 26 % jump in speeding on holiday‑season roads.
“In‑app ride‑hailing offers a different kind of option,” says Black. “You travel with a verified driver in a registered vehicle, and you can share ride details with your family so they can keep an eye on you. Routes are also trackable.”
inDrive has also formalised its approach to user safety through the launch of a Safety Pact. This framework combines driver verification, regular identity checks, emergency tools and in-app guidance to help make festive-season travel more secure. It provides riders and drivers with clear protocols and resources, reinforcing accountability and giving users practical ways to manage risk on the road.
Driver benefits
For drivers, the festive surge in demand presents real earning potential. Black notes many behind the wheel for inDrive use the period to help families cover end‑of‑year expenses, from groceries and gifts to school‑starting costs in January. “With the pricing model we offer, drivers can retain more of their earnings during high‑demand periods, allowing them to boost their take-home earnings ahead of the festive season,” he says.
Affordability, flexibility and safety are the pillars that make ride‑hailing relevant this season. For travellers, the ability to negotiate fares means trips that might otherwise be cost‑prohibitive become feasible, and for drivers, the festive season presents a crucial opportunity to earn extra income at a time when households feel pressure to spend.
This December, as many face the challenge of returning home amid tight budgets and risky roads, ride‑hailing presents a stronger bridge between people and their families, cities and homes, promoting safety and affordability during a period that is often known to be anything but.