It had been a much-requested feature, and Uber’s finally implemented it. Uber now lets users schedule their cabs ahead of time. Implemented in 20 cities across India, the feature will help travelers make sure an Uber arrives in time for important appointments and meetings. Rides can be scheduled from 15 mins to up to 30 days in advance.
Scheduled rides are currently available on UberX and UberGo only. On selecting the date, time, location and destination, users will be shown an estimated fare before booking the ride. Uber will remind people both 24 hours and 30 minutes in advance of the pickup, and riders can pay via cash, cards and wallets.
Uber’s standard cancellation policy applies to Scheduled Rides as well. Riders can cancel their Scheduled Ride anytime without penalty before the driver is en-route to their pick up. Scheduled rides are no different for the drivers as well; the app constantly monitors the ETA; and when it’s time to request, it dispatches to closest Uber driver subsequently.
This feature will help Uber Business, Uber’s offering for companies, by giving their employees greater flexibility while booking their rides.
But Uber has been a laggard to the scheduled bookings game. Ola’s had a Ride Later option on its app since 2015, and also has an plan for business travelers, called Ola Corporate. Uber’s scheduled rides option seems to be part of a global rollout though – starting Thursday, it has enabled scheduled rides in New York, and last week, it had enabled it in 8 cities in the UK.