In one embodiment, a method comprises determining, based on one or more metrics indicative of passenger demand and driver supply, to send a first idle mode offer to a first driver, the first idle mode offer specifying compensation to be provided to the first driver for maintaining availability to service a transportation request for the transportation service sending the first idle mode offer to the first driver sending a transportation request to the first driver while the first driver is maintaining availability in accordance with the first idle mode offer and providing an indication of a compensation amount to be awarded to the first driver in accordance with the first idle mode offer, the compensation amount based on a time that the first idle mode offer was accepted by the first driver and a time at which the transportation request was sent to the first driver.
