Year in rear view : How Sri Lanka Ubered in 2023

With 2023 in the rear view mirror, Uber released highlights of its annual data report – How Sri Lanka Ubered – encapsulating the key trends from how Sri Lanka moved last year.

The analysis from the trips in 2023 revealed interesting trends about cities with the total number of kilometres covered in Uber rides, popular travel trends in intercity travel, and also several rider preferences. Backed by data and insights, the report spotlights increasing relevance of ride sharing in Sri Lanka.

Uber remained the favourite mobility companion for the island nation, with products across categories finding love from riders. Uber trips during the year covered a whopping 140 million kilometres, which is enough to traverse the entire 114,000 kilometre road network in Sri Lanka more than 1200 times over, or more than thrice everyday.

Uber Tuk and Uber Zip continued to be the most popular products in the country, with the former pipping it’s four-wheeled sibling to the finish line. Uber Moto or bike taxis emerged as the fastest growing product by demand trends in 2023. Sri Lankans favouring Tuk and Moto is a testament to the growing love among Sri Lankans for booking Tuks through apps which were traditionally available on street hail only, and seeking affordable transport options.

Colombo continues to lead with the highest number of Uber trips in 2023 with its divisional secretariat  Thimbirigasyaya emerging as the place with maximum trips with its eclectic mix of business and leisure outlets. Unsurprisingly, Thimbirigasyaya divisional secretariat stamped its top credentials with maximum late-night trips, highest weekend travel, and most office hour trips too.

Below is an overview of insights from ‘How Sri Lanka Ubered in 2023’:

• Most Uber trips were booked between 5PM and 6PM
• The most popular day of the week for booking an Uber was Friday
• The travel month of December has seen the highest number of rides being booked in a single month, with the Christmas weekend, Full Moon Poya Day, and New Year festivities.
• As Sri Lankans moved from their work cities to hometowns ahead of celebrations or headed out for a vacation, 22 December 2023 emerged as the most popular day in terms of number of trips booked.
• Colombo’s favourite weekend getaways down south were the most frequented tourist destination in 2023 using the popular Uber Intercity.

Sri Lanka’s Top Cities with Maximum Trips

1. Colombo
2. Maharagama
3. Dehiwala
4. Kaduwela
5. Kesbewa

Sri Lanka’s Top Intercity Destinations

1. Beruwala
2. Weligama
3. Galle
4. Bentota
5. Habaraduwa

Intercity travel trends proved what we always knew – everyone loves Sri Lanka’s beaches! Majority of the top 5 Intercity destinations were weekend holiday beach towns with plenty of sun and sand.