Your guide to UberPool
With UberPool, riders heading in a similar direction can choose to share a ride. The Uber app finds an efficient route to pick up multiple riders along an UberPool trip. This means you can spend more time driving and less time waiting for your next trip request.
Why have we launched UberPool?
UberPool gives riders the option to share their ride for a more affordable price, which means more riders can take Uber more frequently. In areas where UberPool is available, we’ve seen more trips and riders, which can mean less downtime for partners.
How Uber Pool works
Taking an UberPool trip
Receive an UberPool request
When you’re online in an UberPool service area, you may receive an UberPool request. On the request screen, you'll see that the rider has selected ‘Pool’. If you’d like to accept, tap the screen to accept the request as you usually would.
Pick up the rider
Drive towards the first pickup address. When you reach the pickup location, the app will automatically begin a 2 minute countdown timer. With UberPool in Australia, riders walk to the pickup spot, so we recommend giving them a call after 1 minute waiting. If your riders don’t show up within 2 minutes, you can cancel the trip and select ‘rider no-show’ in the app.
Receive an additional UberPool request
En route to your rider’s destination, you may get another request added to your UberPool trip. This request may happen before the other rider is picked up or dropped off. The additional rider will be automatically accepted and navigation will be updated automatically, so we recommend using the in-app navigation to reduce back-and-forth between additional apps.
Drop off riders and rate the trip
The order of pickups and dropoffs is based on the route and where everyone is heading, so be sure to pick up and drop off riders in the order that the app displays, which may not be in the order they were picked up.
Reminder: Riders may be asked to walk a little bit from the dropoff spot to their final destination, so feel free to remind them of this if they ask.
Once you’ve dropped off all riders, you can assign a rating to each rider who was on the UberPool trip.
How fares are calculated
When you accept an UberPool request, you’ll see the upfront fare for that trip plus the applicable Uber service fee, in your current trips. You will also see this for every additional UberPool rider that is added to the trip.
Like other upfront fares, UberPool upfront fares are calculated using factors that typically affect the price of a trip, including the expected time, traffic patterns and distance, as well as surge when demand is high. However, instead of applying the same base fare, time, and distance rates that currently exist in your city for UberX, a discounted rate will be applied for UberPool.
UberPool fares are a % less than UberX fares, and this % varies depending on the time of day of day. The aim is to keep UberPool earnings comparable with UberX. This means that UberPool fares will be lowest at peak hours when you’re most likely to have multiple riders matched on one trip, and the highest at times of day when matches are less likely.
Understanding the details
Earnings opportunities
The goal with UberPool is to have multiple riders added to the same trip, which means you could have several riders paying you a fare at the same time. This gives you the opportunity to earn more than what you would have earned on the comparable UberX trip.
Some UberPool trips will be able to match multiple riders together better than others. The more time different riders, each on their own unique journey, spend sharing the same trip, the higher your fare will generally be. In some cases, such as an UberPool trip that is not matched with any additional riders, the fare you receive could be less than the comparable UberX fare.
Sliding service fee
To help keep your earnings from UberPool trips comparable with those from UberX, the service fee for UberPool varies for each requesting rider.
The service fee for the first rider will typically be the lowest, and the service fees for additional riders added to the trip will vary based on several factors, such as how many different riders are picked up on the same trip and how much of the overall trip has multiple riders.
UberPool cancellations
Situation 1: driver cancels
When a driver-partner arrives at their rider’s pickup location for an UberPool trip, the app will begin a 2 minute countdown timer. Because some riders will be asked to walk to the pickup spot, we recommend driver-partners wait 1 minute before calling their rider. If their rider doesn’t show up within 2 minutes, a driver-partner can cancel the trip and select ‘rider no-show’ in the app. In this case, the driver-partner will receive a cancellation fee (less Uber’s service fee).
Situation 2: rider cancels
If a rider cancels an UberPool trip they’ve requested after the request is accepted and their driver is heading towards them and is near the pickup point, the driver-partner will receive a cancellation fee (less Uber’s service fee).
Where is UberPool available?
Melbourne
The current UberPool service area in Melbourne.
Sydney
The current UberPool service area in Sydney.
Frequently asked questions
- What if the rider is not at the pickup location?
Consider waiting one minute before calling the rider. If the rider still hasn’t showed up after two minutes, you can cancel the trip- just select ‘Rider no show’. You will receive a cancellation fee, which you will see in your weekly pay statement.
- What do I do if the rider asks me to come to a different pickup location?
If the rider asks you to drive to a different pickup point, explain that with UberPool, they have opted to walk to a pickup spot that cannot be changed. If they want to request a trip from a different location or do not want to walk, they can cancel this trip and re-request an UberX.
- What if a rider wants to change their drop-off location?
All riders must enter both their pick-up and drop-off locations before requesting a trip. For UberPool, riders cannot change pick-up/drop-off locations once the UberPool trip has started.
UberPool drop-off locations are fixed because the Uber app matches riders and drivers based on pickups and destinations. Changing the destination can impact other riders on the trip. Also, the original pickup and dropoff points determine the upfront fare, so if a rider changes their destination, the fare may be incorrect.
If a rider asks you to drop them directly at their destination, kindly remind them that they opted to walk when they chose UberPool. If they insist, you can offer to end the trip early and suggest they request a new UberPool or UberX with their updated destination.
- How are tolls calculated in an UberPool trip?
All tolls incurred during trips will be added onto a rider’s fare. Riders will pay for their own tolls if they ride by themselves, or split them equally with every rider who is in the car at the time the toll is incurred.
- Do ratings work differently for UberPool trips?
At the end of an UberPool trip, you rate each rider separately. Similarly, each rider has the option of providing a rating for each trip they take with UberPool. The rating screen will appear in the app once you’ve dropped off all your riders, so you can rate them - there’s no need to rate riders mid-trip.
- Do riders give reasons for their rating?
When a rider gives a rating lower than 5, they are prompted with a list of possible reasons. If the rider selects an option that is out of your control, such as “Route by Uber” or “Had to walk”, it won’t count toward your overall rating.
In addition, we’ll exclude low ratings from riders who consistently give lower ratings.
- How do upfront fares work with UberPool?
Upfront fares are shown to riders who request UberPool trips. Like other upfront fares, UberPool upfront fares are calculated using factors that typically affect the price of a trip, including the expected time, traffic patterns and distance, as well as surge when demand is high. However, instead of applying the same base fare, time, and distance rates that currently exist in your city for UberX, a discounted rate will be applied. One of the main differences with UberPool fares is that the service fee for UberPool varies. With UberPool, riders cannot change pick-up/drop-off locations once the UberPool trip has started, nor can they add stops, detours, or otherwise significantly change their route. Because of this, in almost all cases, the upfront fare shown with an UberPool trip will apply.
- How does the service fee work with UberPool trips?
To help keep your earnings from UberPool trips comparable with those from UberX, the service fee for UberPool varies for each requesting rider, with the lowest service fee applied being 5%.
The service fee for the first rider will typically be the lowest, and the service fees for additional riders added to the trip will vary based on several factors, such as how many different riders are picked up on the same trip and how much of the overall trip has multiple riders.
Some important points:
- If we increase our service fee above the UberPool minimum service fee of 5% for additional riders added to the trip, the net fare you receive will always be equivalent to or higher than the comparable UberX fare.
- We will not increase our service fee above the UberPool minimum service fee of 5% if you take an UberPool trip and it does not match with an additional UberPool request, or it matches poorly, and the result is that the fare you receive is less than the comparable UberX fare.
- Can I opt out of UberPool?
If you also accept UberXL or Select trips, you can toggle off UberX and UberPool in the trip selector, but not just one or the other. Driver-partners cannot opt out of receiving UberPool requests while they are receiving UberX trip requests because it is part of the UberX trip type. However, whether you accept a new UberPool trip request is your choice.
- I’ve heard of UberPool in other markets, is this the same thing?
UberPool is a shared rides product that exists in certain cities around the world and is usually a door-to-door service. The version of UberPool in Australia has a few additional features that seek to improve the driver experience. The biggest difference with this version of UberPool is that riders agree to walk a short distance at the beginning and end of their ride to help make the driver’s route as efficient and convenient as possible.
- Do I have to use Uber’s navigation?
You may use your preferred navigation app, but the in-app Uber navigation is recommended for UberPool trips. This is for two key reasons:
- Notifications: If you’re in a third party navigation app, some notifications do not come through, like when a new rider is added to the trip or if one of the riders cancels.
- Routing: The Uber navigation will automatically update and re-route you as needed, like when a new rider is added to the trip. If you’re in a third party navigation app, the route may not update automatically.
Missing a notification or not seeing the updated route fast enough can impact your trip and other riders. Also, tapping back and forth between apps has the potential to take your eyes/attention away from the road.
Did you know? If you are iPhone user, in your app settings, you can choose to use Uber’s in-app navigation for UberPool and another preferred navigation app for trips with UberX.
While you may still use your preferred navigation app, we encourage you try the Uber in-app navigation for trips with UberPool!
- How many riders are there per UberPool request?
Riders can request an UberPool trip for just themselves, or opt to bring a friend. There is a limit of two riders per request.
When you arrive to pick up a rider, you will see a confirmation screen. On this screen, confirm the rider's name and select whether the rider is alone or with a second rider. Please ensure that you have fully stopped your vehicle in an appropriate pick up location before you do so.
It's possible that you might pick up multiple UberPool requests at the same spot, so remember to confirm the riders' names when they get in the car.
- What if the number of people at the pickup spot does not match the number of people in the request?
If you are only expecting one person but there’s an additional rider, you can adjust the request in-app. You can also do this if a rider has requested for two people and there is only one person.
Riders can request an UberPool trip for up to two riders. If a rider tries to bring along additional riders that your car doesn’t have room for, you can cancel the trip and kindly suggest they request an UberX ride instead.
- What do I do if a rider cancels?
Your current UberPool trip can still continue. Keep following the in-app navigation to your next pickup or dropoff location.
- I’m new to Uber, why am I not receiving UberPool trips?
New partners will not receive UberPool requests until they have completed 20 UberX trips. This allows you to get familiar with the Uber app and taking trips.
- What does UberPool look like from the rider side?
When riders request UberPool, they are first asked their destination and how many seats they need (1 or 2). Once the rider is matched with a driver, the rider is given in-app walking directions to the designated pickup point. When they are dropped off, they are again shown in-app walking directions to their nearby final destination.
- Can I turn the auto-accept feature off?
So that you can focus on driving, the auto-accept feature automatically adds additional UberPool riders (2nd, 3rd, 4th pick-ups) to your UberPool trip. The app will notify you with a sound and banner on your screen.
If you wish to stop receiving additional requests, simply ‘go offline’ and complete your drop offs. If you do not wish to accept the additional rider for any reason, you may cancel via the app after the request comes through.
- What if my rider wants me to decline an additional passenger pickup?
You can kindly remind the rider that they have opted to share their ride with other riders for a more affordable fare. If they prefer to have a private ride or are running late, you can offer to end their trip early and suggest they request an UberX.
- What if my rider requests UberPool by mistake?
When you pick up a rider, you can ask them if they meant to request a UberPool and share their ride with other riders. Additionally, you can confirm that a rider has chosen to walk when you arrive at their drop off point. If your rider didn’t mean to request UberPool or would like a door-to-door ride, kindly ask that they cancel their trip and request UberX instead.
UberPool Airport trips
- Is UberPool available at the Domestic terminal, or only International?
For now, UberPool is only available to and from the International terminal. The Domestic terminal at Sydney Airport is not part of the UberPool service area.
- Can I lose my spot in the virtual queue?
The virtual queue for UberPool trips works the same way as for UberX trips. Your wait time will reset if you:
- End or cancel a trip
- Reject a trip request by tapping ‘no thanks’ in app
- Go offline
- What happens if riders have multiple bags or suitcases?
We remind riders in app that for trips with UberPool from the airport, they should have a maximum of 1 suitcase. If they have more than 1 bag and can’t fit their luggage in the car, they should cancel their trip request.
- What happens if my rider books for one rider but takes a friend?
If you are only expecting 1 person but there’s an additional rider, you can adjust the request in-app. You can also do this if a rider has requested for 2 people and there is only 1 person. Check out how to do this by clicking on the video above.
- What happens if I already have a rider in my car and the next rider keeps us waiting?
We recommend that you call your rider after waiting for 1 minute. Then, if you do not hear from them after 2 minutes of waiting at the pickup point, you can cancel and receive a $6 cancellation fee (before the Uber Service Fee) - just select ‘Rider no show’ in the app and continue your trip.
Still have questions?
Contact support by tapping ‘Help’ in the Uber Driver app, or by visiting our online Help Centre.
The information provided on this web page is intended for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your country, region, or city. It is subject to change and may be updated without notice.
*Indicative and informative estimation. Average calculated based on real data from independent driver partners using the Uber Pool option on the Uber application for the last 6 months in France. The average may vary according to the individual activity of each driver and seasonal trends in rider demand.
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