Uber has launched a few options designed to enhance the expertise of and enhance transparency for drivers. A couple of months in the past, the ride-hailing large began piloting a function referred to as “Upfront Fares” in a handful of cities. Now it is expanding its availability and rolling it out to many of the US over the approaching months. When they get entry to the options, drivers will see how a lot they will earn and the place they are going for a visit on the request display screen earlier than they settle for the reserving. 

According to the Help page explaining how Upfront Fares work, Uber calculates the quantity it reveals utilizing a number of components, “including base fares, estimated trip length and duration, pickup distance and surge pricing.” Uber may even present drivers the cross streets closest to the choose up and drop-off factors to assist them decide. In addition, Uber may even increase the supply of “Trip Radar,” a function that reveals drivers a listing of attainable journeys close by, together with Upfront Fares. They’ll nonetheless get particular person journey requests, however now they will choose one other reserving which may swimsuit them higher. 

Uber is positioning these new options as a method to help its drivers, however as Axios notes, the affect they could have on clients stays unclear. They may find yourself being misused and result in the rise of rider and journey discrimination if drivers have a look at them as instruments to keep away from particular neighborhoods. That stated, the options may additionally stop canceled journeys, as a result of they permit drivers to make a acutely aware determination when accepting journeys.

The firm has additionally launched a brand new Uber Pro debit card that can allow drivers to earn cashbacks for getting fuel at choose stations. Back in March, Uber added a gas surcharge to rides and deliveries, as nicely, to assist drivers sustain with skyrocketing fuel costs.