When touring with Uber, riders need to know who their driver is, and rightly so. There have been sufficient incidents with unscrupulous drivers to warrant this. Nevertheless, drivers additionally need to know who they’re choosing up. Which is the place Uber’s new rider verification program comes into play.
Uber Launches New Rider Verification Program
As introduced on the Uber Newsroom, the corporate has launched a brand new rider verification program throughout the US. The rider-sharing firm beforehand examined this new program in a handful of US cities, and after optimistic outcomes, is now rolling it out throughout the entire nation.
It signifies that Uber drivers will now be capable of see when a rider has undergone the mandatory verification steps to earn a “Verified” rider badge. Giving Uber drivers extra confidence that who they’re choosing up is who they are saying they’re, and in the end enhancing their security.
As a rider, getting verified means both importing an ID or having your account data checked towards third-party databases. As soon as accomplished, you will get a shiny badge in your profile which drivers can see once you request a trip.
Uber’s new rider verification program is only one of various measures designed to maintain drivers protected.
This consists of the Report My Journey characteristic, which permits drivers to report video and audio on their smartphone. After a profitable pilot, that is now out there to drivers in all 50 states.
Within the early days of Uber, nearly anybody may choose anybody else up with out a lot in the best way of scrutiny. Nevertheless, improvements launched since then embrace PIN verification to substantiate the proper passenger is being picked up, and the power for drivers to speak with passengers through telephone and message.
Verification Is Non-obligatory, however May Shorten Pickup Occasions
It needs to be famous that rider verification is completely non-compulsory. Nevertheless, in Uber’s FAQs about this system, the corporate makes it clear {that a} lack of verification may imply longer wait instances:
“As a result of drivers will see a rider’s verified badge when selecting to simply accept a visit, not being verified might result in longer ETAs and pickup instances.”
The purpose right here is to maintain everybody protected when using in an Uber. As essential as it’s for riders to know who’s driving them residence so as to keep away from Uber scams, it is also essential for drivers to know who it’s they’re choosing up. In any case, each events are probably weak.