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It was exciting news last summer when Uber announced the return of its most affordable ride option.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly came out of nowhere, Uber was thriving and offered a variety of different types of rides.
After society adopted the idea of riding with a stranger, Uber implemented carpooling with multiple strangers.
The concept was a success, as it was much more affordable than having the car to yourself. Sharing with a person you just randomly matched with by pressing a few buttons was a significant way to save some money.
During the pandemic, in compliance with various COVID rules, the idea of too many people in a small space suggested a higher risk of spreading the virus.
Carpooling was eliminated for the foreseeable future. Yet in the Summer of 2022, Uber brought it back and has since tweaked the concept for the better.
Amidst travel making a comeback the past couple of years, the announcement was a small step in the right direction for a sense of normalcy again.
Ride-sharers should be excited to know the latest rendition of carpooling is here to stay and expanding to more U.S. cities.
What Is UberX Share?
Uber has several reasons they are promoting this new ride option.
The more people who share the same ride means less emissions are being emitted into our air, and Uber wants to become a “zero-emissions mobility platform” during this decade across Europe, Canada and the United States.
Drivers will also appreciate paying less in gas and putting fewer miles on the odometer. That’s one reason they are holding firm to this newly revamped ride-share option, UberX Share.
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The other being it's much more affordable to riders. Simply choosing to share a ride with another passenger along a similar route will equal instant savings for both passengers while also reducing emissions.
With savings of up to 20%, this sounds like a win-win situation all around. At times, during the past edition of carpooling, the routes could be a little wonky.
Maybe your route was heading West, but your fellow passenger needed to make a u-turn East before getting back on track. That's when you might ask, “is this hassle worth it?”.
Uber knows these past frustrations and has taken steps to improve timeliness and efficiency for everyone involved.
Now, passengers will only be matched if they are heading in the same direction. The goal is to arrive no later than 8 minutes difference compared to UberX rides.
Where Is UberX Share Expanding?
Uber has already been actively operating UberX Share rides in multiple major cities across the globe.
Users of the mega-popular rideshare app will soon be able to hitch a ride in 5 more U.S. cities since the relaunch has been such a hit.
There is no exact date for when these new cities will have UberX Share available to them. Uber only announced, “in the coming weeks”.
They also announced these additions are just the tip of the iceberg, with more cities to come in the near future.
The following 5 cities have been chosen to offer more affordable Uber rides:
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Miami, Florida
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The nation’s Capital – Washington D.C.
Where Else Does UberX Share Already Operate?
UberX Share rides are a global concept spanning many countries. Although the latest expansion only covers U.S. cities, users can find many other places that already offer carpooling.
Current carpooling cities in North America:
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Pittsburgh, Pennysvania
- San Diego, California
- New York City, New York
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco, California
- Vancouver, Canada
- Montreal, Canada
- Toronto, Canada
Other international carpooling cities:
- Paris, France
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Doha, Qatar
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Accra, Ghana
- Newcastle, United Kingdom
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- Perth, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
- Hobart, Australia
- Gold Coast, Australia
- Canberra, Australia
- Brisbane, Australia
- Adelaide, Australia
- Darwin, Australia
- Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Those who are new to the idea of rideshare can simply download the Uber app to set up a profile and learn more.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bill
Tuesday 16th of May 2023
another lame idea from Uber. Drivers will reject the trips. The pay is so low now from what it was most drivers have to 'cherry pick' to make a descent return on their cars.
In my opinion Uber is using up the life of our cars with low pay to increase their profit and share price.
Henok
Wednesday 10th of May 2023
Does the driver gets more than the regular price it talks only about the riders getting up to 20 % discount , how could I put 4 people in my car and get the same regular price
Steve
Thursday 11th of May 2023
@Henok, You can't put 4 in the car with the Uber Share. It is a max of 2 people in your car at a time, 1 for each ride request. If someone orders an Uber Share and there is more than 1 person in their group, they have to order Uber X.
Rick
Wednesday 10th of May 2023
This is bad for the drivers because when I did it I only received 90% of a regular fair regardless of how many shared rides & riders where in the car plus NO tips
Nik
Wednesday 10th of May 2023
Customers hate it also because they don't understand the concept. Especially women. Imagine you're a pretty young girl going home after work or the clubs and some a arrogant drunk or high guy gets in the car. It's not the drivers job to protect her. Then the guy starts talking to her or worse yet changes his stop and gets out when she does. Is it worth the $2 or 3$ savings? Or if the guy is a raging drunk and demands to be taken home first. Because he didn't understand.
Tim
Wednesday 17th of May 2023
@Nik, That's a great point u made !!!
D.J.
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
I'm an Uber driver and this is bad news for drivers!!!! 99% of Uber share riders DON'T TIP because they're looking for a bargain in the first place. Also you get totally different personality types in the same car that makes for an extremely awkward ride. I see drivers ratings going down because you lose that chemistry that you have with a one on one passenger and driver experience.