UPDATED 23:37 EDT / MARCH 30 2017

APPS

Uber adds much-needed app update: Users can now change pickup locations

Uber Technologies Inc. has made a major adjustment to its app, one that should make aficionados of the ride-hailing giant happy: Users can now change the pickup point after booking a car.

Unfortunately, the update is now only available to iOS users in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, with no word as to when the much-needed change will come to Android and Uber users globally. To change the pickup location, all users will have to do is hit the “edit” button while drivers are already on their way. A new location can then be selected and confirmed, and the driver will be notified.

We’ve tested this feature in a handful of cities and found that it led to fewer cancellations (and less stress),” Uber said in a press release. “We plan to roll it out to all riders across the U.S., Canada and UK in the coming weeks starting today.”

rider_correction_final

The change, which should go some way in shining a light on Uber after weeks of the company battling umpteen controversies, comes on the back of a press call in which Uber board members said one of its motivations was to create a better relationship between driver and rider.

While meeting the demands of riders with this move, Uber has also made good on its promise to make life better for drivers. In the past drivers have griped that when riders complained about altercations, such as drivers going to the wrong place or picking up someone else, Uber had sided with the rider without giving the driver much say.

Uber said it will now look at a driver’s record when a complaint has been made, giving experienced drivers with few black marks against more of a say in the matter.

The company also said it won’t be too quick to suspend drivers when a rider has complained the driver is not the person in the photo. Now Uber will use Real Time ID to ensure a driver doesn’t get suspended when such a case has wrongfully been brought against them. Uber also said it will use the new technology when riders complain that their accounts have been used by someone else.

Lastly, the company said it will compensate drivers who have lost money when a passenger accidentally cancels a trip while going to a destination. In such cases, the driver only received the amount of money for the ride up until the point where the cancellation was made. “We realized this approach didn’t give appropriate consideration to the driver’s perspective,” said Uber. “Going forward, if a driver disputes a fare adjustment, we will validate the claim and make sure they are appropriately compensated.”

Image: Uber

A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE:

Your vote of support is important to us and it helps us keep the content FREE.

One click below supports our mission to provide free, deep, and relevant content.  

Join our community on YouTube

Join the community that includes more than 15,000 #CubeAlumni experts, including Amazon.com CEO Andy Jassy, Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, and many more luminaries and experts.

“TheCUBE is an important partner to the industry. You guys really are a part of our events and we really appreciate you coming and I know people appreciate the content you create as well” – Andy Jassy

THANK YOU