Since we launched Uber in Australia in 2012, Aussies have embraced the convenience of booking a ride at the top of a button.  However, we know booking through an app isn’t every Australian’s preference. In fact 93% of Australians aged 65+ say their preferred method for booking a service is over the phone, and almost half (43%) don’t feel confident in booking via mobile apps*. 

As part of our commitment to help more Australians go anywhere by offering more ways to ride with Uber, we’re proud to announce a new phone line booking service, available in every Australian town and city where Uber operates, from today.

For older adults, or any other Australians, who are not as comfortable booking rides via an app, this service will enable them to conveniently book their next trip to the grocery store or a health appointment by dialling 13-UBER (that’s 13 82 37 on the keypad). This will connect riders with an Uber team member who will assist them with booking a ride, any day between 5:00AM and 8:00PM local time. 

Dom Taylor, Managing Director of Uber ANZ said: “Our mission is to provide every customer with the opportunity to use Uber, the way they would like to. We’re excited to be offering our 13-UBER service nationally, to provide older Australians with a little extra assistance, when they want to use our services,”

“We often hear from riders whose family members want to use Uber, but are unfamiliar with how to navigate a smartphone. Now, with 13-UBER, everyone in the family can enjoy the same effortless Uber experience, even without the app. This feature brings the convenience of live support to our matching technology, so everyday Australians can book a ride the way that they want.” 

How 13-UBER works

  1. Dial 13-UBER: Call 13-UBER (13 82 37) from your mobile phone between 5am-8pm local time to talk to one of our team members. If you don’t already have an Uber account, our team will assist you in creating one.
  2. Share your preferences: You can schedule your ride for that moment, or for up to 90 days in advance. Provide the operator with the details of your trip request, including preferred time, pick up and drop off location and your preferred type of ride (UberX, Green, Comfort, XL, Premier, Pet, Max or Assist)
  3. Get trip details: We’ll send you information via text message about your ride, including the estimated fare, your driver’s name and picture, car type, licence plate number, and their estimated time of arrival.
  4. Ride with confidence: You’ll receive a text message when your driver arrives at your pickup location. All trips are GPS tracked and all drivers are safety vetted before access is granted to the Uber platform. Their vehicle must also pass an independent annual inspection to verify that it is safe to drive.

Every trip booked through our 13-UBER service includes a phone booking fee of $3, and calls will only be accepted from mobile devices that can accept texts, so that we can share the trip details. 13-UBER is a ride-requesting service only. If a rider who has booked a trip through the app needs customer service help, please visit help.uber.com or use the ‘Help Centre’ in the app.

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*Research from an independent online study conducted by YouGov Australia on behalf of Uber,  between 25-29 January 2024. The sample comprised 1,064 Australians. The findings have been weighted by gender, age and location, and the sample is representative of the Australian population 18+ years.