Getting around shouldn’t be harder as you age. Whether it’s a quick trip to the store, a doctor’s appointment, or visiting loved ones – safe and reliable transport is essential to staying independent and connected. Yet for many older Australians, access to transport remains one of the biggest barriers to freedom and wellbeing, with Uber commissioned data reporting over a third (36%) of Aussie seniors (aged 65+) think not being able to easily arrange transport is a pain point in their daily life1.

At Uber, we believe everyone should have easy access to transportation – regardless of age or tech confidence. As part of our commitment to building inclusive products that meet the needs of every rider, we’re rolling out Simple mode and senior account across Australia – a new app feature and account profile designed to make our app more accessible and user friendly for older adults. 

Simple mode is an industry-first, easy-to-use interface with larger text, fewer buttons, and easy-to-follow screens – making it easy for seniors to personalise the app to better suit needs and stay in control of their account, even without the help of a family member. At the same time, Uber is introducing a senior account available through Uber’s Family profile, where family organisers can support their loved ones with booking rides, managing payment methods, and receiving real-time trip updates – all from their own phone. Together, these new launches work to help seniors stay active, mobile, and socially connected.

As Australia’s population ages, the need for accessible, reliable transport becomes even more important. Today, 17% of Australians are now aged 65 or over (up from 12% in 1994), and that number is only set to grow. By 2066, more than 10 million Australians are expected to be over the age of 65.

For many seniors, staying mobile and the ability to get around isn’t just practical – it’s essential for wellbeing. The Australian Government has found that staying active and socially engaged helps older people maintain their independence and avoid health risks. At the same time, more older Australians are embracing technology in their daily lives. In 2020, 93% of seniors had internet access at home, and engagement with online tools continues to grow. This shift is creating new opportunities to support mobility and independence through intuitive, tech-driven solutions.

“We listened closely to older Australians and their families, and one message came through clearly – technology should be helpful, not overwhelming,” said Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber Australia & New Zealand. “As our population ages, we’re committed to making transport more accessible for every rider – regardless of age, confidence, or comfort with technology.

That’s why we’re introducing Simple mode and senior accounts – to simplify the Uber experience and make it easier for older adults to get where they need to go, when they want to.”

Key features of Simple mode & senior account:

  • Simplified booking: Older adults can request rides using a simplified version of the app with larger text, fewer buttons, and easy-to-follow screens.
  • Saved places: Frequently visited locations – like home, the doctor, or a favourite store – can be saved by either the senior or their loved one for faster ride requests.
  • Flexible payment options: Seniors can use a family organiser’s card or their own for Uber rides.
  • Live trip tracking: To help keep loved ones in the know, the family organiser can follow along in the app with real-time updates and live trip tracking whenever their parent or grandparent requests a ride. 
  • Help when needed: Family organisers can step in when needed and book rides on their phone for the senior, edit saved places, have a three-way chat with the senior and driver or call drivers on the rider’s behalf at any time during the trip.

These new releases are part of our broader mission to make Uber an accessible transportation solution for every life stage – from teens taking their first solo ride, to Caregivers managing trips for their loved ones, to riders who prefer to book by phone using 13-UBER, and now with Simple mode and senior account, helping older adults stay mobile and independent. 

How to set up a senior account:

  1. In the Uber app, a loved one invites an older adult to join their Family profile.
  2. The older adult gets a text with a link to download the app and create their account (if they don’t have the app already).
  3. From there, they can request rides on their own – or get help from family when needed.

Users without a senior account can also turn on the Simple mode feature in the Account section of the app.

Visit Uber’s dedicated page for senior account – with additional resources to make signing up for an Uber account easier.