Top 4 Reasons Riders Choose Uber: Faster, Cheaper, Safer Rides keeps showing up in conversations for a reason. The story below covers what is actually happening, where the trade-offs sit, and what a careful reader should take from it.
Key Takeaways
- Uber often costs less and is faster than taxis.
- Safety measures include driver background checks.
- Convenient for late-night travel when public transit is unavailable.
- Reduces the need for car ownership in cities.
- Accessible via a user-friendly smartphone app.
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San Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc. took the transportation industry by storm when it released its groundbreaking ride-hailing app in 2009.
Uber is available for Google Android, Apple iOS, and as a web app. The app connects riders with nearby screened drivers who provide rides in their private vehicles. Passengers pay competitive prices for the service, which is cheaper than traveling by taxi in many places.
On a cold and snowy evening, StumbleUpon founder Garrett Camp and his business partner Travis Kalanick had trouble finding a taxi. That experience inspired them to start the ride-hailing company. Uber celebrated 10 billion rides with much fanfare in June 2018 and as of the second quarter of 2024, had provided over 52 billion rides.
Uber’s highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) took place in May 2019.
Read on to learn four major reasons why consumers ride with Uber: fast trips, safety, post-party rides, and reducing car ownership costs. It’s a preferred choice for millions each month.
1. Swift and Convenient Travel Options
Many believe that the failure of taxi companies to get customers to their destinations quickly enough is what allows Uber to thrive.
The taxi companies often blame their drivers for being unable to pick up and transport passengers in a timely manner. The taxi drivers respond by complaining about the low fares customers pay for short-distance trips, creating a cycle of inefficiency for taxi companies.
While wait times vary, Uber customers typically spend far less time waiting for their rides than customers of traditional taxi services.
Riders also have the option through UberX Share, the app’s ride-sharing feature, to share rides with others heading in the same direction. As a result, Uber customers typically get where they are going faster or more cheaply than they would by taxis.
Public transportation doesn’t run around the clock, and not all taxi companies run 24 hours a day. People who work long hours or party late often use Uber to get home quickly when bus and metro train lines are shut down.
2. Prioritizing Rider Safety With Uber
Riders choose Uber over other transportation methods for safety reasons. The company has experienced serious incidents in the past, such as drivers attacking passengers. However, Uber now requires all prospective drivers to submit to motor vehicle and criminal background checks.
In fact, the company runs annual background checks. The checks include a search of multistate criminal databases, motor vehicle records, and a review of the National Sex Offenders Database.
Drivers Wanted
Uber offers people with different financial needs and circumstances the opportunity to earn money as drivers. You’ll need a driver’s license, a car less than 15 years old, and a smartphone. Plus, you’ll need to meet a range of other requirements including submitting to a screening of your driving record and background for any criminal activity.
3. Convenient Late-Night Rides with Uber
It may be difficult to persuade taxi drivers to pick up riders who have had too much to drink in obscure parts of town late at night. However, there are around 7.4 million Uber drivers and couriers in over 10,000 cities worldwide who are ready to serve such needs.
Partygoers can rely on being able to find available Uber drivers through their apps in the wee hours of the night. Picking up intoxicated passengers is not without its challenges. Rowdy passengers have even attacked drivers on some occasions.
Uber drivers in India were the first to get access to a panic button on the Uber app to contact the police for this type of emergency. Uber drivers operating in the U.S. gained access to the panic button in 2018.
4. Reducing Car Ownership Costs with Uber
The true cost of owning a car is higher than most people think.
Urban dwellers who don’t use their cars regularly (or at all) can save money by using Uber. These savings apply mostly to riders who don’t need cars daily but sometimes need a ride for weekend outings and other special occasions.
However, the combination of Uber and expanding online grocery delivery is making it more practical to live without a car.
Why Is Uber Popular?
It’s popular because its ride-hailing service generally is dependable, safe, fast, and less expensive that taxis.
Who Does Uber Target?
Uber targets people who can’t drive or prefer not to drive themselves to a destination. For instance, these could be people without cars and people who need a car infrequently (such as for a trip to the airport, a ride to and from a social gathering, or to get home from work late at night when public transportation is shut down).
Does Uber Protect Riders?
Uber is serious about helping riders travel safely. It offers a variety of safety tips to help ensure a successful ride-hailing experience.
The Bottom Line
Many riders choose Uber because its drivers can usually get them to their destinations faster than public transportation or taxis, it’s considered a safe method of travel, it’s an attractive option when driving yourself isn’t feasible, and it can cut car ownership costs.
