Uber will now allow drivers to see a ride’s earnings before they choose to accept it.
Last week, Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced the new “Upfront Fares” initiative that will show drivers exactly where they are going and how much they will be paid round trip before each ride. This new feature will give Uber drivers the freedom to determine if a ride is worth their time. The new tool will also show drivers’ requests in their area, so they can choose which ones to accept. The program began testing in February and will officially roll out this month in about 30 regions.
The fare is determined by base fares, estimated time to complete the trip, the driver’s distance from the pickup location, and price surges. In instances where the passenger changes their address or there is increased traffic along the route, the fare will be adjusted in real-time. Tips are not factored into the total fare before the driver accepts the ride.
“Upfront Fares” is just one way that Uber is looking out for its drivers amid inflation. With the current price of gas, the company will begin giving qualified drivers 7% cash back on gas purchases. Drivers must reach Diamond status and use their Uber Pro Card at gas stations to take advantage of the offer. This new perk comes after drivers slammed Uber earlier this year for implementing a fuel surcharge that did not cover the price of petroleum.
Khosrowshahi admitted that the company was too focused on “autonomous cars” when the attention should’ve been given to the drivers who made the service a success.
“Our drivers ultimately are just not replaceable,” Khosrowshahi stated.
