Uber unveils new features to offer drivers flexibility

Uber has a powerful set of new features that will make it even easier for driver-partners across Kenya to choose when, where, and how they drive.

These new features follow the recent launch of Uber’s In-App Chat, a feature which allows driver-partners and riders to chat right in the Uber app without having to share their phone numbers with one another when they need to get in touch.

Loic Amado, General Manager for Uber East Africa explains: “We are always listening and engaging with driver-partners to ensure that we always improve and transform the driver experience. Drivers have been very clear on what they need and based on their responses, we will be rolling out products that can address three keys areas: more flexibility for drivers when it comes to when they want to use Uber, using our technology to create a stress-free experience, and building on safety.”

The product launched by the taxi hailing company are:

• Driver Share My Trip: Uber already offers a way for riders to share their trip status with their contacts, and so the Share My Trip feature now allows drivers to share the trip information with loved ones, without implicating the privacy of the rider or divulging personal information or specific drop off or pick up points.
• Arrival Destination & Time: Drivers will now be able to set the time they want to arrive at their final destination at any time of the day with the Arrival Time feature. As drivers go about their day with the destination and arrival time set, the app will notify them when it’s time to start heading toward their destination. At that time, they’ll be connected with a trip along the same path. This allows for more flexibility and allows them to make a little extra money on the way.
• Long trip notification: Information will be sent to driver-partners to fit driving around their lifestyle, which means drivers will now get a heads-up when a trip is estimated to be 45 minutes or longer, so they can plan accordingly.
• Rating protection: Sometimes riders might give their trip a low rating for reasons beyond a driver -partner’s control like an issue with the Uber App. With the new ratings policy, these type of ratings won’t count towards a drivers score. Uber will still get the feedback to help them improve but it won’t impact the driver’s overall rating.
• Paid Wait Time: Driver-partners have already invested time and fuel to get to a destination. This new feature ensures driver-partners will earn a per-minute fee whenever a rider keeps them waiting more than five minutes after the driver-partners arrive at their pick-up location. With arrival times just a few minutes, riders are encouraged to only request a ride when it’s time to leave.

What does this mean for driver-partners? Amado explains: “When Lydia Wanjiku goes online to start accepting rider requests, she can use the“Share My Trip” feature to share her information about her trip with her husband such as where she is on the map. She is in control to start and stop sharing with her husband or other contacts as she’d like, and they can easily see her whereabouts on a map with quick-dial contact details and the driver’s license plate number. ”

She also gives an example of Jackson Onyango, a driver who has three children and uses the Uber app to have more flexibility and control over his life. With the addition of the “Long Trip” notification, Onyango now has greater flexibility handling his trips as this feature provides him with a heads-up when a trip is estimated to be 45 minutes or longer, so he can plan accordingly when he needs to fetch his children from school.

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“It has been our priority to continue building on our technology and our driver offerings so that we provide driver-partners with the best experience while using Uber. We believe these new features will improve not only their driving experience but their lives,” concludes Amado.

“But this is only the start – by putting driver-partner concerns and dialogue at the heart of Uber’s strategy, Uber will continuously work on improving their experience with the app. This isn’t just about new features – it’s about a sustained commitment over time, and Uber is incredibly excited to apply the full strength of Uber to improve and transform the driver experience for the 5,000 men and women who drive with Uber every week,” the company said in a statement.