The 99 platform is testing 99Premier in Recife, an unprecedented ride category. This pilot operation is scheduled to begin in the second half of the month and will serve to evaluate the service before a possible expansion to other locations.
The 99Premier modality will establish specific requirements for vehicles, drivers, and passengers. According to the company, drivers can earn up to 60% more per ride compared to the 99Pop category.
Regarding vehicles, models manufactured from 2022 onwards are required, and they must have colors and characteristics previously defined by the platform. Participating drivers must maintain a minimum rating of 4.9 stars, have completed at least 100 trips on 99, and be familiar with the category's best practices content.
Passengers must also meet a criterion: only those with a rating equal to or higher than 4.7 stars in the app can request rides through 99Premier. During trips, cars must provide water, tissues, and phone charging cables, with the provision and replenishment of these items being the responsibility of 99, which will make them available at support points, with water bottles featuring personalized and recyclable packaging.
Additionally, the app will allow users to indicate their preferences regarding the vehicle's internal temperature, ambient music, and the driver's willingness to converse during the journey.
Fabrício Ribeiro, Operations Director at 99, justified the selection of Recife as a starting point due to the peculiarities of the local market and the existing relationship between the company and the Pernambuco capital. He emphasized that this initial phase aims to evaluate various aspects of the service before any future expansion.
99 clarifies that earnings in 99Premier can exceed 99Pop values by up to 60% and show an increase of approximately 20% compared to 99Plus. It is important to note that these percentages are estimates released by the company and do not constitute a guarantee of profit for every driver.
Partners will also have access to exclusive benefits, such as dedicated support channels and advantages related to refueling, electric vehicle charging, and car rental. 99 also plans to have a specific fleet for rental, offering exclusive discounts and vehicles that meet the standards of the new category.
The new modality will integrate the security systems already present on the platform. According to 99, this system includes over 50 protection tools, including identity verification, route sharing, audio recording, emergency button, and monitoring of potential risks. The company also has specialized teams and service protocols for drivers and passengers.
Currently, the operation is limited to Recife. 99 has not yet announced which cities will be included in subsequent stages nor defined a schedule for a national expansion of the category.