Page 6 - June 2023 Newsletter

Uber Now Takes Ride
Requests Without the App
Rides can be booked by
dialing the phone
Not everyone is comfortable using a
smartphone app to summon a ride to the grocery
store, doctor’s office or to visit friends and family.
With older adults in mind, Uber, the market-leading
rideshare company is rolling out a solution. Uber
rides can now be booked by calling a toll-free num-
ber instead of using its app, making it easier for
those who struggle with the software app or don’t
own a smartphone, the company’s CEO Dara
Khosrowshahi announced at a product event
Wednesday.
Uber conducted months of testing in places where
older riders gather and spoke directly with those it
expects to use the service.
Examples of text messages sent after requesting a ride and confirming a trip.
“Not everyone is comfortable using a phone or an
app to call an Uber. Like my mother in law,” he said.
“And for her we have a product that's incredibly
easy to use. It’s 833-USE-UBER.”
Uber has about 75 percent of the rideshare market
in the United States, far ahead of chief rival Lyft,
which has about a one-quarter share, according to
research from YipitData that CNN Business cited.
Customers can dial 833-USE-UBER (873-8237) to
speak with an Uber agent in English or Spanish to
request or reserve a ride. The service is available 4
a.m. to 10 p.m. ET nationwide. Once a trip request
has been accepted, the rider will receive a text mes-
sage with the driver’s name, picture, license plate