Important Info: How to score rides to and from Charity Preview at the Cobo Center

The biggest night of Auto Show season has finally arrived — Charity Preview AKA “Auto Prom.” With the press, industry executives, and partygoers hitting the town, we’re expecting huge chances to earn on Friday night, January 13. If you’re planning to earn big this weekend, read on below for essential information about driving Downtown and to and from Cobo.

CREDENTIALS NEEDED: How to access Cobo Center for pick up and drop offs

• To get near Cobo Center on Friday night, you will be required to show an in-app “credential” from 4pm to 11pm
• To access this credential, open your Driver App and scroll down to find a card titled “Authorized Uber Vehicle”
• While driving in the area, please be willing to show this credential to Cobo Center staff, police, and other safety personnel who may ask for it
• For your reference, the pass looks like this:
  
  

Where to go: Restricted area for pick ups and drop offs

• Uber has an official pick up and drop off zone on the North side of the Cobo center along Congress.
• To access the area, head South on 1st St. to Congress and turn left.
• Once you have your rider, exit by making another left onto Cass and proceeding North.
• Do not wait in the pick up/drop off lane if you do not have a request yet – DPD and other security will ask you to move if you are not awaiting a rider and may be issuing tickets.
• We strongly recommend that you wait for dispatches North of Cobo Center as traffic to the East will be difficult to navigate.
• See below for a detailed map of the official Uber pick up/drop off area:

Times and places to drive

Downtown and Midtown Detroit

4pm-3am

Friday, January 13

Demand will be highest and most concentrated at Cobo as the event lets out around 9pm

Many riders will be headed to after parties, so expect high demand Downtown to continue until 3am.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I do pickups near the Cobo Center without a pass?

No, there will be street closures and police-enforced traffic restrictions all over the downtown area that evening. Make sure you have your pass handy to show to officers and traffic enforcement folks.

Will I be able to wait near the Cobo Center for requests?

Unfortunately, no. You’ll need to wait for requests elsewhere in the downtown area. Police will be ticketing those that stand at the venue and are not waiting for a passenger and you will be unable to receive new requests if you are in our pickup area. Please only approach the venue when you’ve been matched with a rider.

I thought Congress was one-way Westbound – why are we going Eastbound?

The city is reversing traffic on Congress for the evening. Just plan to follow the “Yellow Pass” route (S on 1st St, E on Congress, N on Cass) and our Uber signage.

What should I do if law enforcement gives me a hard time?

Our team will be in the area throughout the night, so look around to see if there is an Uber representative who can help you. If you can’t find us, please submit a support request in the app or tweet at @Uber_MI on Twitter.

Learn how to maximize your earnings during all of the days of the 2017 Auto Show.