Increasing service department efficiency with flexible rides

In dealership service departments, time is a precious resource. Customers expect fast, seamless experiences—and any breakdown in scheduling or transportation can lead to delays, stress, and lost opportunities. While many stores are focused on technician availability or bay space, a more foundational constraint often goes unnoticed: how you move people.

In a recent webinar with ASOTU, we looked at how leading dealerships are rethinking customer transportation to help remove friction from fixed ops and improve the experience for customers and employees. Here’s what we shared.

When transportation holds up the workflow

Dealerships have long relied on loaners and shuttle drivers to help customers come and go. But these solutions can be stretched thin. A shuttle driver calling out sick, a loaner fleet at capacity, or traffic delays can bring service operations to a halt.

These kinds of bottlenecks don’t just inconvenience the customer; they also disrupt the entire schedule. Dealerships may find themselves pushing appointments further out or turning away walk-ins, simply because there’s no way to get someone home.

Removing scheduling constraints with flexible transportation

Uber for Business gives dealerships the flexibility to move customers without being limited by traditional constraints. With tools like flexible rides through Central, dealerships can respond in real time to customer needs and keep service lanes moving.

This flexibility enables new efficiencies across the service operation:

Accepting walk-ins:

With ridesharing as an option, service advisors can accommodate customers who arrive without appointments and don’t want to wait at the dealer.

Extending service windows:

Customers who aren’t waiting on-site or depending on shuttle pickup are more comfortable leaving their vehicles longer, creating opportunities for more thorough inspections and additional work.

Filling transportation gaps:

Ridesharing can supplement traditional options when shuttles are delayed, loaners are in use, or drivers are unavailable.

Operating beyond shuttle hours:

Uber is available 24/7, 365 days a year, giving dealerships the ability to support early dropoffs, late pickups, and after-hours transportation needs.

Plus, with a customer-friendly ride option, dealerships can elevate the customer experience—which also drives more than 60% of brand loyalty. When dealerships show up consistently for their customers, those customers are more likely to become brand advocates and share their positive experience with others.

Uber for Business: easy to set up and use

Uber for Business is free to use and does not require a contract, making it a flexible option—whether as a primary transportation method or a supplementary solution.

The process is straightforward:

1. Sign up now for Uber for Business

2. Add service advisors: After the account is live, advisers can be added as coordinators or a different role and trained to use the platform in day-to-day operations.

3. Choose from multiple ride types: Dealerships can select which options will be available (for instance, UberX, Uber Comfort, UberXL, and more).

4. Request rides easily: After advisers enter the customer’s name, phone number, and destination, the customer receives a text with details on how to request a ride or where to meet their driver, depending on how the ride is offered.

5. Send return rides in one step: When service is complete, the adviser can send a second link for the customer to schedule pickup.

6. No app needed: Customers do not need the Uber app when dealerships use Central—everything is handled through texts.

7. Manage billing and reporting: Each ride can be tagged with a repair order number and linked to a specific adviser, so that all trip info will be included in your monthly billing.

Broader dealership applications

In addition to service lane use cases, Uber for Business can also support parts delivery, vendor pickups, or visitor and sales prospect transportation—without tying up sales staff or porters. Some dealerships even use Uber Eats credits to support customer satisfaction during delays or unexpected wait times.

Dealerships don’t need to eliminate shuttle programs or replace their transportation model entirely. But having an adaptable, always-on option can serve as a valuable backup—and a customer experience upgrade when other systems are at capacity.

Get started with Uber for Business

Uber for Business helps dealerships reduce the time, cost, and complexity of customer transportation. With flexible ride options, centralized billing, and minimal setup, it’s easy to integrate ridesharing into your existing service workflows—no shuttle overhaul required.

Want a guided walk-through? Contact our sales team for a personalized demo.

Or watch the full virtual event for more real-world insights into how dealerships are using Uber to unlock service lane efficiency, improve customer experience, and adapt to today’s fixed ops challenges.