On Monday, the company announced a host of software improvements to its app to address driver demands. The company suggested that it is looking into rolling out schemes whereby gas stations could offer discounts in exchange for in-app promotions – a system already applied in Google’s navigation app Waze.
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But it seems that the drop in pricing didn’t get more riders in cars as the firm has today announced that pricing will be increasing from R6 per km to R7.50 per km, claiming the “experiment” with lower fees was no longer benefiting riders and drivers. It’s unclear how this decision will fair with customers who often are the ones waiting for drivers.
The debut post on Uber’s new driver-focused “Behind the Wheel” blog brings with it several features those very drivers may find useful – especially when clocking out.
Uber has announced that it will start charging riders if their driver has to wait over 2 minutes for them to get into the auto. Uber hopes it’ll let its drivers end their sessions before a rider hails their vehicle, and potentially gives them a poor rating when the pick up is declined.
An Uber move which has anxious the NZ Transport Agency is that, the company has removed rules that need drivers to carry a passenger service license. They want higher fares and the option for passengers to tip inside the app, he said. “These are features, though, that I think make a lot of sense for drivers but also Uber”. Uber still had to pay $84 million to the approximately 385,000 drivers represented in the cases.
Two of the additions bring Uber in line with what Lyft Inc., the second-biggest US ride-hailing provider, already offers.
Uber has previously applied and reversed similar price adjustments in some USA cities. The company will be offering its branded debit cards (in partnership with GoBank) to drivers in more cities, which allow them to receive their earnings instantaneously.
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Perhaps most interesting to those interested in driving for Uber, the company is offering discounted rides to all of its drivers.
