Introduction to New Uber Options

Uber is launching several new features for riders, promising to help them save money on their journeys. These include a new service called Route Share, which combines elements of Uber Pool and bus transportation.

What is Route Share?

Route Share can be thought of as a hybrid of Uber Pool and shuttle buses, a concept Uber has explored before. This service offers pickups at designated spots along busy corridors every 20 minutes, but only during weekday rush hours. By using Route Share, riders can potentially save up to 50% off the cost of an UberX ride by walking to a pickup location and being dropped off at a designated spot near their destination, similar to how one might use a bus.

Key Features of Route Share

• Booking Window: Riders can book a seat on Route Share between 7 days and 10 minutes before they need the ride.
• Availability: Initially, Route Share is available in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore from 6 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM on weekdays, with plans to expand to more cities.
• Shared Rides: Like Uber Pool, Route Share may have up to two other riders in the vehicle, emphasizing the shared aspect of the service.

Uber Ride Shares Feature

An image of the Uber Ride Shares feature is provided, showcasing the user interface and experience of the new service.

Introduction of Ride Passes

In addition to Route Share, Uber is introducing two types of ride passes designed to offer riders more flexibility and savings.

Price Lock Pass

• Functionality: This pass allows riders to pay a small fee ($3) to lock in a set cost for a specific ride, providing price certainty.
• Risk: If the actual ride cost ends up being less than the locked price, Uber won’t charge the difference, making it a low-risk option for riders.
• Usage Limit: Riders can use the price lock pass on up to 10 different routes each month.
• Availability: The price lock pass is initially available in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco, with a wider rollout planned for the US.

Prepaid Pass

• Functionality: Riders can buy a set of trips along frequently used routes, offering a discount for bulk purchases.
• Purchase Options: Passes must be bought in sets of 5, 10, 15, or 20 rides, ensuring a commitment to using Uber’s service.
• Validity: The prepaid pass is valid for 30 days or until the accumulated savings reach $50, whichever comes first.
• Teen Accounts: Both types of passes will also become available on teen accounts this fall, expanding their accessibility.

Update

An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to Uber’s new service as "Ride Shares" instead of the correct term, "Route Share." This correction was made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.