Uber announces new changes to service, saving passengers money and providing more certainty

Uber customers could save more money thanks to two new announcements by the major rideshare company.

Passengers can now save money on an Uber ride under major changes announced by the rideshare company.

Customers in most major cities can book their trip in an UberX, XL or Comfort up to 30 days in advance and will be given a locked-in upfront price, avoiding any surcharges or surprises.

The technology for Uber’s new Reserve option also allows people to see who their drivers are in advance and ensure they arrive at the designated address on time.

Reserve will begin to be rolled out in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, metropolitan Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Cairns and Geelong and should be live in the Uber app by December 15.

Additional benefits are available to riders in select cities who can also opt for Premier Reserve, like riding in a high-end vehicle and having an extended wait time.

The new Reserve feature will begin to be rolled out to major cities over the coming week. Picture: Alastair Pike / AFP

Uber’s head of rider operations in Australia and New Zealand Margarita Peker said the service provided more certainty to customers now that more people were excited to get out and make plans again.

She said drivers also benefited from the booking system that enabled them to plan their time on the road more easily and select trips that fitted around their schedule.

“Aussies and people around the world have been feeling very uncertain for the last couple of years and something we’re looking forward to over summer is getting back to making plans again,” Ms Peker said.

“It’s exciting to offer a product that taps into that moment of planning ahead, going out to events, seeing your friends or going to theatre … It's all about reliability and getting you to places on time with confidence.”

Uber Pool is also making a return after its operations were paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

Due to the pandemic, Uber was forced to stop its pooling service, but more than 600 days later, it is again allowing riders to share their Uber to save money.

After a successful pilot in Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast of a revamped service, it will return to existing Pool cities – Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide – on Monday.

It will also launch to riders in Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast.

Uber Pool has now become a door-to-door experience, stopping riders from needing to walk to their pick-up or drop-off destinations. It will have fewer and shorter detours, ensuring people won’t be taken more than 10 minutes off their route.

According to the rideshare company, Uber passengers can save up to 30 per cent if they share their ride with others.

More Uber passengers are riding together. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

Ms Peker said additional public health and safety checks were in place to ensure the service was Covid-safe.

This includes only allowing two other co-riders in the vehicle so there is space in between passengers and having some riders take a mask-wearing selfie through the Uber app in states where it is compulsory for travellers to wear masks on public transport.

“While people are clearly moving, we’re trying to work out how we can give them an affordable and safe way to do that,” Ms Peker said

“It felt important for us to bring forward a more affordable option, but safety and hygiene has to be top of mind at the moment and wellbeing is our top priority.”

Originally published as Uber announces new changes to service, saving passengers money and providing more certainty