You can now schedule rides on Uber...actually, not yet

I am a big fan of Uber, the on-demand ride-hailing app. They came to India some time in late 2013, and to my city of Chennai in early 2014. I love the promotions they offer from time to time, like ice-cream deliveries, free rides to go vote during elections, celebrating 375 years of Madras, and much more. However, there's nothing quite as bad as trying to hail a cab to the airport at 4 am, only to find that there are no cars available. Other taxi apps such as Ola, and of course, most radio taxi operators in India allow you to schedule rides. But there's good news in the offing on that particular front.


Uber has started allowing scheduled rides, effective 9 June 2016. This is being rolled out for business accounts, in cities with high business traffic, beginning with Seattle. 

The service will probably take time coming to India, but once it is available, it will allow users to schedule rides up to 30 days in advance, right up to 30 minutes before the ride. Cancellations will be free any time before the ride, and also within 5 minutes of the driver being dispatched.

Fares will be as applicable to any other ride. However, Uber will still charge surge pricing if that's what applies at the time of your actual ride - I find that counter-intuitive, though! Here's more on the service, including FAQs.


The ability to schedule rides is an awesome addition to Uber's services - something I could do with! Which is why I'm looking forward to the India implementation of this service. 

Readers, do you Uber a lot? What's your take on this new addition? 

Oh, and if aren't registered with Uber, you can sign up using this link, and get your first ride free!

Comments

  1. RavinJune 12, 2016 at 10:09 PM

    Badly needed this service as Ola has been ditching me consistently for early morning airport rides - all 5 scheduled bookings were ditched with NO CAB available message from Ola in last 2 weeks - I hope Uber gets it right!

    ReplyDelete

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