Zero-Commission Ride App Uparima Just Launched — Will Drivers Actually Switch From PickMe?

A new Sri Lankan app called Uparima launched this week with a commission-free model — instead of PickMe or Uber taking a cut of every fare, drivers pay a small fixed platform fee starting around Rs 10 per ride. It's not the first to try this either — TruRout rolled out a similar zero-commission idea a few months ago — but Uparima is betting that fixed fees will finally pull drivers away from the big two for good. Drivers who've been complaining for years about 20-30% commissions eating into fuel costs say any app that lets them keep more of the fare is worth a try, especially with fuel prices where they are right now. Skeptics point out that PickMe and Uber already have the passenger numbers — a cheaper app with no riders on it doesn't put money in anyone's pocket, and new platforms sometimes quietly add charges once they've got drivers hooked and comfortable. If you drive a tuk, car or bike for hire, have you tried switching apps, and did the lower commission actually show up as more money at the end of the day — or does rider volume always beat a better commission rate? ඔබ අලුත් ඇප් එකකට මාරු වෙයිද, නැත්නම් PickMe එකේම ඉඳගෙන ඉන්නවද?