HOUSTON – Houston will be one of three cities nationwide to test a new feature on the Uber ridesharing app, allowing users to tip drivers when their ride is complete. Uber’s Houston General Manager, David Brightman, says tipping is one of the top requests from drivers.
Big UBER announcement today in Houston!!
Posted by FOX 13's Chip Brewster on Tuesday, June 20, 2017
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“They have asked for it, it’s long overdue, and there’s no time like the present. Getting here took many months, and it started with listening. Really listening and making changes based on what drivers told us they cared about,” Brightman told KPRC 2.
Riders will see a new screen at the end of their ride, which asks them to rate the driver and gives the option of adding a tip.
The feature is now live on the Uber app for Houston riders. An event is planned at Uber’s “Green Light Hub” to reveal the change to drivers. Uber says riders will have up to seven days after a trip is complete to add a tip and riders can also go back in their trip history and add a tip retroactively for up to 30 days. Riders can also tip cash.
“Tipping is an important step forward, but it’s only one of many steps we’re taking today and in the months to come to improve the driver experience from end to end,” Brightman added.
Other new features the company plans to announce today include a change to the cancellation window from five minutes to two minutes, allowing riders more time to change their plans without being charged.
On the other hand, riders who keep drivers waiting outside for more than two minutes will begin to incur additional “per minute” fees. The company cites the time invested by the driver to get to a rider’s location and the added stress waiting for the rider puts on the driver. This feature is expected to begin by the end of July.