For users looking to save money in major cities, Uber has launched UberX Share, which allows riders to share rides with strangers.
Uber formerly had shared rides under the name Uber Pool, but suspended the program in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, CNET reported. In a news release, the company said that it had redesigned its previous program before its introduction.
UberX Share is available in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego, Portland, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. The company said it plans to expand the program to more cities this summer.
Uber said in its news release that riders who opt for UberX Share will get an upfront discount plus up to 20% off the total fare if matched with a co-rider along the way. Uber also said that to prevent delays, passengers will only be matched to rides going in the same direction, saying, “We’ve designed UberX Share so that riders arrive no more than 8 minutes later than an UberX ride.”
Uber’s largest competitor, Lyft, also suspended shared rides during the pandemic, re-introducing them in Philadelphia and Miami last year, CBS News reported. Lyft told CBS News that it plans to expand the shared ride option to San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, Las Vegas and Atlanta.
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