Upfront Fares, explained
Learn how Upfront Fares are calculated, what new info you’ll get, and how they can help you earn more consistently throughout the day.
Why the move to Upfront Fares?
Because every trip should be your call. You’ll get more visibility and control over your earnings.
You’ll get extra info about each trip upfront so you can decide which rides are worth your time.
Upfront Fares adjust to what’s happening in real time to help you find more steady earning opportunities.
How are Upfront Fares calculated?
While most platforms are still calculating fares per minute and mile, at Uber, we know there’s more to a trip than its length and distance. So we built the technology to make it happen.
When calculating Upfront Fares, we take 3 key categories into account: details, demand, and data.
Trip details
The basic details of a trip will always factor into how Upfront Fares are calculated. These include:
Estimated trip length
Estimated trip duration
Pickup location
Dropoff location
Real-time demand
How much you can make is impacted by the current demand in your area. These include:
Surge pricing
How busy is it in your area
How busy is it at the destination
How likely are you to get another trip quickly
Traffic
Historic data
Key earnings trends and data help to create more accurate predictions. These include:
Areas with high and low demand
Areas with high and low earnings
Estimated demand at locations
Estimated demand at various times throughout the day
What you’ll see upfront
Make informed decisions about which rides you accept.
How much you’ll make, including surge pricing
Where you’ll go
Time and distance to pickup location
Time and distance to drop off location
Upfront Fares can be higher or lower than the pricing based on fixed time and distance rates. Why is this?
To create more consistent earning opportunities for everyone in the same area. We look at conditions by the second to make sure every offer you get is just as good as the ones you miss.
When changes happen
Technology can only predict so much. When unexpected traffic, construction, or extended wait times happen, you’ll get an automatic fare adjustment to help make it right.
In this video, you’ll learn about:
- How to see your daily earnings
- Where to get the details
- How to view your weekly summary
Service fee payments: how it works
Settling your service fee payment is easier with the introduction of the new payment system, Direct Pay Online (DPO). With DPO, you’ll be able to pay your service fees on a weekly basis using M-Pesa or bank transfer. Your service fee payment makes it possible for Uber to continue investing in world-class technology, customer support and marketing to help you grow your earnings opportunities through the app.
*If the service fee amount is not settled, you might lose access to the Uber App until the outstanding amount is settled. This is done to help you from building up a high outstanding service fee balance.
1. Top-up your account
When your account has a negative balance you will be able to use the Direct Pay Online to top up your account balance.
2. Make the payment
Simply click on the link http://t.uber.com/paykenya to make payment via M-Pesa or direct bank deposit
3. Top-up reminders
When your account balance is lower than -KES 5,000 you will start receiving top-up reminders. If your outstanding balance is lower than -KES10,000 your account will be blocked until you make a settlement.
How to manage your service fees
| Your Account Balance | What you need to do | Action from Uber |
|---|---|---|
| More than KES 0 | Make sure your banking details are up to date so Uber can pay you | Uber pays you |
| Between KES 0 and KES 5000 | Make a top-up payment when you can | No action |
| Less than KES 5000 | Make a top-up payment urgently to make sure your account is not blocked | Uber sends you a top-up reminder |
| Less than KES 10 000 | You must make a top-up payment for your account to be reactivated | Your account is blocked |
Questions from drivers
- Why am I being charged a service fee?
Uber charges a service fee for trips made through the app to help fund our platform's operations and to support innovation that enables us to serve more people.
- Where can I see my trip earnings?
You can see a quick earnings overview at the top of the app. You can tap your earning cards and swipe right and left to see your daily and weekly earnings at a glance. You can also get more details in the Earnings section of the app.
- How do I earn with surge?
During certain busy times, surge may appear on the map as red, orange, and yellow. To earn fares with surge rates, drive to the colored areas, stay online, and accept your next trip. Surge amounts will be applied once you complete your surge trip.
- I don't know how to read my payment statement
Trip earnings = Total amount paid by riders on your trip - Uber commission (the commission is 25% of total fares). This includes:
a) Trip breakdown fare = total fares paid by riders
b) Breakdown surge = additional revenue earned from an increase in prices caused by surge (when there is more demand than supply)
c) Tolls = Tolls paid in special venues (e.g., malls, airports)
d) Uber fee = Uber commission, which is deducted from the sum of A-B
+
Miscellaneous earnings earned this week from incentives and reimbursements (likely to be zero)
-
Miscellaneous payments owed to Uber (e.g., pre-paid background check fees)
-
Cash collected
=
Net bank deposit
If the net bank deposit is positive, Uber will deposit your cash into the account on the following Thursday. If it is negative, then we will withdraw the money from the credit or debit card you have registered with us your Uber application.
- Your payment statement is incorrect
If you believe that the fares collected are incorrect, go to your trip section of your application by clicking the menu on the left.
Select the specific trip that you believe has the wrong fare. Click need help --> fare issues. The issue will be resolved in maximum three weeks and credited to your next payment statement. Unfortunately, the local team does not have the ability to change your earnings.
- When can I make a payment?
The payment process will be open 7 days a week, meaning that you can pay your account at any time in the week.
- How much should I pay?
Uber gives you the flexibility to pay any amount at any time. However, you must keep your account arrears balance below KES 10 000 per driver or your account will be blocked.
You can pay a minimum of KES 1 per active vehicle/driver-partner to a maximum of KES 10,000 per active vehicle/driver-partner.
- I am having trouble making a service fee payment. Where can I get help?
Please reach out to Direct Pay Online for help making a payment at support@directpay.online.
- How long will it take for my service fee payment to reflect in my partner app?
It may take up to 48hours for your service fee payment to reflect in the app. However, it is usually faster.
- Will Uber remind me to pay my service fees?
Yes, Uber will send you a helpful email, SMS, & in-app message when you need to make a payment to reduce your service fee arrears.
- My account has been blocked, how much should I pay to get reactivated?
If your account has been deactivated you will need to make payments until your account balance is above KES 5 000 per vehicle/driver.
Drive your way in the app
Drive your way in the app
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