Latest news with #Go-Get
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uber has a new plan to get you to use its app more: Cheaper ride and delivery options
Uber's newest features include options for cheaper rides and food delivery. Users will soon be able to find cheaper groceries and get a new type of shared ride in the app. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has talked about the importance of getting users to order frequently. Uber's newest features could help you spend less on each ride or grocery order — particularly if you use the app frequently. The ride-hailing and delivery app unveiled multiple budget-focused offerings at its annual Go-Get conference, from a tool that finds cheaper groceries to a new kind of shared ride aimed at commuters that focuses on the busiest streets in an area. With the features, Uber wants to make "things a little easier, a little more predictable, and above all, a lot more affordable" for users, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at the conference Wednesday. The price-conscious features come as Uber tries to get existing customers to use its app more. Uber's latest quarterly results, which the company reported last week, were driven by "growth that's coming from engagement and frequency, not just price," Khosrowshahi said on a call this month. The company is also seeing growth in the number of subscribers to Uber One, its paid subscription service that offers discounts and other perks on rides and delivery. One of the new features unveiled Wednesday is the Uber Eats Savings Slider. Customers will be able to add groceries to their basket, then use the slider to decide how much money they would like to save. As they increase the savings amount, the app will suggest cheaper versions of what they have selected. The feature could save users 15% to 20% on average and will be available later this year in the US and Canada, Rohan Mathew, Uber's senior director of delivery engineering, said at Go-Get. "If I care how many swaps Uber makes, I can really crank up the savings," he said. In an example on stage, Mathew increased the savings amount, which swapped a blanket that he had selected for a Snuggy wearable blanket that was on sale. Uber is also adding an option it calls "Route Share" to its ride-hailing business. Under the offering, users can save as much as 50% on fares by walking longer distances to pick up points along major, busy streets and sharing rides with other passengers, the company said at its presentation. Route Share is "our most affordable ride offering yet" and "the perfect way to get to and from work without breaking the bank," Uber said in a statement summarizing the new features. Uber started offering the service on Wednesday in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, and Baltimore. Both Route Share and the grocery feature are aimed at users who would incorporate them into their daily or weekly routines. Uber's focus on savings and how much customers pay for its services comes as many consumer brands worry about a potential recession, driven in part by the lingering effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the economy. Uber itself has not reported evidence of a downturn, with customers still spending on ride-hailing trips and food deliveries. And Wednesday's presentation didn't include much talk of the state of the economy. But leaders at the conference made many references to savings, deals, and discounts. While introducing the savings slider feature, for instance, Mathew referenced grocery prices that have remained high thanks to inflation. And Sachin Kansal, Uber's chief product officer, said at the conference that its route share feature is meant to help daily commuters save money. Using Uber could also get cheaper if a recession comes, Khosrowshahi said recently, since more people would be likely to turn to working for the app for income. Do you have a story to share about gig work? Contact this reporter at abitter@ or 808-854-4501. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Uber launches "Route Share" service in major U.S. cities
SAN FRANCISCO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Uber is rolling out a new budget-friendly commuting option called "Route Share," offering fixed-route rides at significantly reduced prices during weekday rush hours. Starting Wednesday, residents in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco can save up to 50 percent on UberX fares by booking through this new feature. Announced at Uber's annual Go-Get event, Route Share aims to strengthen customer loyalty by providing cost-effective alternatives amid rising economic concerns. According to Uber's Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal, the service will operate commuter shuttles along pre-determined routes with stops every 20 minutes. Each route, based on Uber's internal travel data, may include one or two additional pickup points to accommodate more passengers. Passengers can reserve a seat from seven days in advance to as little as ten minutes before departure. The app will guide them with step-by-step walking directions from their home to the nearest pickup location. Kansal emphasized that Uber's large user base and sophisticated matching technology make the service both efficient and predictable. He also hinted at future integration with autonomous vehicles, noting that Uber is currently partnered with 18 autonomous vehicle companies. With economic uncertainty looming due to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, mass layoffs across the tech world, and artificial intelligence coming for labors' jobs, Uber is focusing on cost savings for riders, according to a report by TechCrunch. "Of late, what we have heard very loud and clear is people feel very uncertain, people feel overwhelmed, and people are feeling the prices in many different walks of life, and there's this need and desire to get more affordable options," Kansal said.
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Uber has a new plan to get you to use its app more: Cheaper ride and delivery options
Uber 's newest features could help you spend less on each ride or grocery order — particularly if you use the app frequently. The ride-hailing and delivery app unveiled multiple budget-focused offerings at its annual Go-Get conference, from a tool that finds cheaper groceries to a new kind of shared ride aimed at commuters that focuses on the busiest streets in an area. With the features, Uber wants to make "things a little easier, a little more predictable, and above all, a lot more affordable" for users, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at the conference Wednesday. The price-conscious features come as Uber tries to get existing customers to use its app more. Uber's latest quarterly results, which the company reported last week, were driven by "growth that's coming from engagement and frequency, not just price," Khosrowshahi said on acall this month. The company is also seeing growth in the number of subscribers to Uber One, its paid subscription service that offers discounts and other perks on rides and delivery. One of the new features unveiled Wednesday is the Uber Eats Savings Slider. Customers will be able to add groceries to their basket, then use the slider to decide how much money they would like to save. As they increase the savings amount, the app will suggest cheaper versions of what they have selected. The feature could save users 15% to 20% on average and will be available later this year in the US and Canada, Rohan Mathew, Uber's senior director of delivery engineering, said at Go-Get. "If I care how many swaps Uber makes, I can really crank up the savings," he said. In an example on stage, Mathew increased the savings amount, which swapped a blanket that he had selected for a Snuggy wearable blanket that was on sale. Uber is also adding an option it calls "Route Share" to its ride-hailing business. Under the offering, users can save as much as 50% on fares by walking longer distances to pick up points along major, busy streets and sharing rides with other passengers, the company said at its presentation. Route Share is "our most affordable ride offering yet" and "the perfect way to get to and from work without breaking the bank," Uber said in a statement summarizing the new features. Uber started offering the service on Wednesday in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, and Baltimore. Both Route Share and the grocery feature are aimed at users who would incorporate them into their daily or weekly routines. Uber's focus on savings and how much customers pay for its services comes as many consumer brands worry about a potential recession, driven in part by the lingering effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the economy. Uber itself has not reported evidence of a downturn, with customers still spending on ride-hailing trips and food deliveries. And Wednesday's presentation didn't include much talk of the state of the economy. But leaders at the conference made many references to savings, deals, and discounts. While introducing the savings slider feature, for instance, Mathew referenced grocery prices that have remained high thanks to inflation. And Sachin Kansal, Uber's chief product officer, said at the conference that its route share feature is meant to help daily commuters save money. Using Uber could also get cheaper if a recession comes, Khosrowshahi said recently, since more people would be likely to turn to working for the app for income.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Uber Announces Affordability-Focused Commuter, Uber Eats Features
Uber Technologies announced several affordability-focused features at its annual Go-Get event on Wednesday. Commuters will get new ways to lock in prices for frequent routes and to purchase bulk rides, and Uber Eats will get a new "Savings Slider," the company announced. Uber also revealed details about its partnerships with reservation platform OpenTable and Volkswagen for its autonomous Technologies (UBER) announced a slate of new features focused on affordability at its annual Go-Get event on Wednesday, along with details for its partnerships with OpenTable and Volkswagen. The ridesharing giant showcased several features for commuters, which will be contained in a new in-app "Commute Hub" set to launch this summer. Uber also will soon offer price locks and bulk-ride purchases that the company says will save money for users who frequently take the same or similar rides, such as people who commute to and from work. Uber is also launching a feature called "Route Share," which will be available during weekday commute hours and allow users to walk a few minutes to meet at a common pickup point, take a ride with up to two others, and walk another short distance after being dropped off. Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal said in the presentation that the feature could be some 50% cheaper than a typical Uber X ride on the same route. Uber Eats is also launching a "Savings Slider" feature this year in the U.S. and Canada, allowing users to choose comparison-shop on a specific grocery list and be presented with cheaper options than the products they have picked. The company announced details for a pair of previously announced partnerships during the event, including with Booking Holdings' (BKNG) OpenTable for a "Dine Out" feature. The service will show in-restaurant deals where the user is, and allow them to book a reservation in the Uber Eats app with OpenTable's reservation network. The other partnership is with Volkswagen, with Uber planning to offer shared rides in the German automaker's ID. Buzz AD autonomous electric vehicles starting in Los Angeles in early 2026. The companies announced the partnership last month, saying rides were expected to start next year. Uber shares were down nearly 2% in recent trading but are still up roughly 50% since the start of the year. Read the original article on Investopedia Sign in to access your portfolio
NBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
5 new Uber features you should know — including a way to avoid surge pricing
Uber is giving commuters new ways to travel and cut costs on frequent rides. The ride-hailing company on Wednesday announced a route share feature on its platform, prepaid ride passes and special deals week for Uber One members at its annual Go-Get showcase. Uber's new features come as the company accelerates its leadership position in the ride-sharing market and seeks to offer more affordable alternatives for users. It also follows last week's first-quarter earnings as Uber swung to a profit but fell short of revenue estimates. 'The goal for us as we build our products is to put people at the center of everything, and right now for us, it means making things a little easier, a little more predictable, and above all, just a little more — or a lot more — affordable,' said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi at the event. Here are some of the big announcements from the annual product event. Route share Users looking to save money on regular routes and willing to walk a short distance can select a shared ride with up to two other passengers through the new route-share feature. The prepopulated routes run every 20 minutes along busy areas between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays. The initial program is slated to kick off in seven cities, including New York, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago. Uber said its new route-share fares will cost up to 50% less than an UberX option, and that it is working to partner with employers on qualifying the feature for commuter benefits. Users can book a seat from 7 days to 10 minutes before a pickup departure. Ride passes Riders on Uber can now prepurchase two different types of ride passes to hold fares on frequented routes during a one-hour period every day. For $2.99 a month, riders can buy a price lock pass that holds a price between two locations for one hour every day. The pass expires after 30 days or a savings total of $50. The feature gives riders a way to avoid surge pricing. Ride Passes roll out in 10 cities on Wednesday, including Dallas, Orlando and San Francisco, and can be purchased for up to 10 routes a month. Uber will charge users a lower price if the fare is cheaper than the pass at departure time. The company also debuted a prepaid pass option, allowing users to pay in advance and stock up on regular monthly trips. Uber's pass option comes in bundles of 5, 10, 15 and 20-ride increments, with corresponding discounts between 5% and 20%. Both pass options will be available on teen accounts in the fall, Uber said. The route share and ride passes will be available in a new commuter hub feature on the app coming later this year. Shared autonomous rides Uber is also expanding its autonomous vehicle partnership with Volkswagen. The company will start testing shared AV rides later this year and is aiming for a launch in Los Angeles in 2026. Uber rolled out autonomous rides in Austin, Texas, in March through its agreement with Alphabet -owned Waymo and is preparing for an Atlanta launch this summer. The company announced the partnership in May 2023. Autonomous Waymo rides are also currently offered through the Uber app in Phoenix, but the company does not directly manage that fleet. Khosrowshahi called AVs 'the single greatest opportunity ahead for Uber' during the company's earnings call last week and said the Austin debut 'exceeded' expectations. The company previously had an AV unit that it sold in 2020 as it faced high costs and a series of safety challenges, including a fatal accident. Along with Volkswagen and Waymo, Uber has joined forces with Avride, May Mobility and self-driving trucking company Aurora for autonomous ride-sharing and freight services in the U.S. The company has partnerships with WeRide, and Momenta internationally. Uber One member days Uber is taking a page out of Amazon's book by offering its own variation of the e-commerce giant's beloved Prime Day, with special offers between May 16 and 23 for Uber One members. Some of those deals include 50% off shared rides and 20% off Uber Black. The platform is also adding a new benefit of 10% back in Uber credits for users that use Uber Rent or book Lime rides. UberEats also announced a partnership with OpenTable to allow users to book reservations and rides. The new feature, powered by OpenTable, launches in six countries including the U.S. and Australia. Through the partnership, users can book restaurant reservations and get a discount on rides. OpenTable members will also be able to transfer points to Uber and UberEats. The company is also offering OpenTable VIPs a six-month free trial of Uber One.
