More choice on trip requests

Long pickups that leave you with short trips. Being stuck in rush-hour traffic for a fare that isn’t worth your time. Ending up stranded in areas where you wait around for requests. 

These inconvenient surprises happen when you accept a trip without knowing how much money you’ll make or where you’ll go. 

See what’s new 

• You’ll start seeing the fare, plus pickup and dropoff locations, right when you receive a request. This means that, each time you get a request, it will be easier to decide if it’s worth your time and effort. 

• The fares you see will not be based on fixed time and distance rates alone. Instead, upfront fares can be based on several factors: some you know well, like base fare and time and distance rates, and some are new, like real-time demand at the destination.

• In general, fares on short trips will be going up and fares on long trips will be decreasing.

If there’s unexpected traffic and the trip gets a lot longer, you’ll see an increased fare on the trip receipt. If there’s a change of address in the app while you’re on the trip, you’ll see an updated fare as you go.

Frequently asked questions

• How will these changes impact my earnings? 

  The upfront fare is different in that it is not based on fixed time and distance rates alone. Instead, upfront fares can be based on several factors: some you know well, like base fare and time and distance rates, and some are new, like real-time demand at the destination.

  Now you have a lot more information in your hands to decide which trips are worth your time and effort. 

  Plus, a new feature called Earnings Trends will further help you choose when and where you want to drive.

• Can you share tips on how to earn more now?

  Yes. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Now trip requests put a lot more information in your hands. The fare and pickup and dropoff addresses are shown up front. This means it’s now easier to decide if it’s worth your time and effort. 
  • You now have access to Trip Radar, a feature that gives you and other drivers a chance to pick among other UberX requests happening nearby. You can tap as many options as you like.
  • Earnings Trends is a new feature with  maps and charts that help you see the highest earning areas and times of day in your city over the past 4 weeks.
• Can I switch back to the old experience?

  No. But keep in mind that now you have a lot more information in your hands to decide which trips are worth your time and effort.

• Why am I no longer able to view time and distance rates?

  We will no longer post set time and distance rates since you’ll see the fare on every request before you accept it. With upfront fares, you’ll have more information to decide if a trip is worth your time and effort.

• How are fares determined now, if not per mile and per minute?

  The upfront fare is different in that it’s not based on fixed time and distance rates alone. Instead, upfront fares can be based on several factors: some you know well, like base fare and time and distance rates, and some are new, like real-time demand at the destination.

  The surge value is also included in the fare you see up front, but it will also continue to show up on your trip requests.

  The only items that are not included in the upfront fare are wait time fees and tips, which continue to be added as soon as they’re paid out. 

  Amounts related to Quests, Consecutive Trips, and other driver promotions will also continue to be added to your balance as they’re paid out.

• Why am I earning less on some trips?

  As part of this change, in general, fares on long trips are decreasing, but at the same time fares on short trips are increasing. In addition, the fares you see will not be based on fixed time and distance rates alone. Instead, upfront fares can be based on several factors: some you know well, like base fare and time and distance rates, and some are new, like real-time demand at the destination.

  No matter what, you’ll see the fare on every request before you accept it, so you can decide if it’s worth your time and effort.

• Do fares still account for long pickups?

  Yes.

• If there’s extra traffic, will I still be earning the same amount?

  If there’s unexpected traffic and the trip gets a lot longer, you’ll see an increased fare on the trip receipt. 

• If the rider changes the destination in the middle of the trip, will I still be earning the same amount?

  If there’s a change of address in the app while you’re on a trip, you’ll see an updated fare as you go.

• Will my fare decrease whenever I find a route that’s shorter or faster?

  You’ll typically earn the upfront fare even if you take a shorter route. So if you’d like, you can continue to choose a quicker or shorter route based on your own expertise.