Uber is available in 70 countries and 396 cities. And by now we have all taken an Uber at least once.
Here are 5 things you need to know about Uber:
Uber around the world and wtf is surge pricing?
The Uber app can be used around the world, but remember that you are always charged in the local currency. So if you are in London you will be charged in pounds, and with the current exchange rate, don’t cry when you get the bill. During peak periods, like New Years, Uber increases its prices to get more drivers on the road. If your Uber surge pricing is more than 1.52 it will be cheaper to get an Uber Black. You can also be notified when the surge price drops.
There is no need to tip your Uber driver. Uber is a cashless system, which increases safety. (Ashton Kutcher also thinks so…watch the video below to find out why).
Even celebs worry about their Uber rating
Ashton Kutcher and Jimmy Kimmel discuss their Uber ratings. Yup drivers can rate passengers.
To find out your Uber rating, in the app go to Menu > Help > Account > I’d like to know my rating > Click on submit
Uber keeps their waiting time under 5 minutes
Uber wants to keep the estimated time of arrival (waiting time) under 5 minutes. In South Africa, Cape Town has the shortest waiting time while Durban has the longest.
- Cape Town, 3.5 minutes
- Durban, 4.6 minutes
- Joburg, 4.2 minutes
Uber is not just a taxi. Here are other uses for Uber
- Some care takers use Uber to take the kids to and from school (they ride with the kids)
- UberEats, currently being piloted in LA, is when the Uber system is used to deliver food. And currently restaurants are making more sales through Uber than through regular orders!
- Businesses, such as law firms, use Uber as a reliable courier system.
- Coming soon, UberPool which uses the Uber model but allows you to carpool.
Is Uber safe?
There is a full safety team in South Africa and 24/7 customer service. If you lose something, remember the numbers are scrambled for your safety and the drivers, so call the number on your reciept for assistance. But if you are still worried, here are ways to stay safe while using Uber.
And while a lot is done to ensure the safety of both the drivers and passengers, there are some horror stories.
- My cab driver is drunk…How safe is Uber in SA?
- Uber rider taken on 20 mile detour, charged nearly $150 for trip that should cost $20
Final thought: the sharing economy
As recently reported by CNBC, the Uber model is losing some of its steam. Check out this article on the sharing economy business model by our editor, Sam Wright.
