Before Uber (UBER) launched in 2009, there were pretty much only a few ways for travelers in need of a ride to get from point A to point B: call a taxi, hop on a bus, or call up a friend and ask for a ride.
For those who remember it, the taxi experience was far from a pleasurable option. Most taxi drivers weren’t very friendly, and some would barely talk to you aside from a few grunts to find out your destination.
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And as for the actual driving you might experience in a taxi, well…it was best to buckle your seatbelt back in those days.
Uber transformed all of that with its innovative ride-sharing model, which encouraged people to use their own cars and earn money by providing rides for people.
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While taxis do still exist, they’re taken a lot less these days – it’s just a lot easier to summon a ride on your phone (not to mention the majority of Uber drivers are not as spirited of drivers as, say, aggressive taxi drivers in New York City).
Naturally, to keep up with changing times, even major innovators have to continually reinvent themselves. Uber is doing just that with the rollout of a new feature that makes the service even more accessible to a wider variety of people.
Uber’s latest change will open the service up to a brand new demographic.
Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Uber wants to serve a larger customer base
Uber announced on June 4 that it would launch a new type of account specifically created for senior adults.
Using Uber’s family profile system, a family member can organize a ride for a senior family member and even tracking the ride in their own app in real time.
In addition, Uber’s also announced Simple Mode, larger text and easy-to-follow directions. While this new format is also available in Senior Mode, it can be used by a Senior adult who wants to schedule their own rides.
The new modes also offer the ability to save frequently visited places and flexible payment methods, including using their own card, a family member’s, or even an eligible Medicare Flex card.
Uber worked with aging advocates and accessibility experts to develop these features with the aim of making transportation easier for older adults who do not drive or cannot drive safely.
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“Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to independence as people age,” said Silvia Candamil Neirra, Vice President, Global Initiative on Ageing and Longevity.
“Solutions like Uber’s senior accounts help break down that barrier by offering a simple and flexible way for older adults to get where they need to go—without always having to rely on others. It’s about dignity, freedom, and staying connected to the people and places that matter most.”
Uber says it will send notifications to account holders via email today to let them know the service is active and available for use.
In addition to the U.S., the new modes will be available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, India (Simple Mode only), Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Portugal, France, and South Africa.
One of several changes for Uber
Uber has been busy preparing upgrades for its business lately. The announcement of Senior and Simple Mode come not long after the ridesharing app announced Route Share, a new service that sounds a lot like a bus.
Route Share is clearly an effort to offer a mode of transportation for those who need a more budget-conscious option, as it can cost up to 50% less than an UberX.
It works by running dozens of fixed routes with fixed stops, and riders will share the car with up to two other people going to the same destination.
Route Share is now available in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, and Baltimore, and Uber says other cities will be added soon.
