Now, we will tell you about Uber’s carpool ride-sharing service, also known as Uber Pool. Below, we will explain what kind of ridesharing it is, how does Uber Pool work, the fare rate, and some other related things both drivers and riders need to know.
Uber is so popular right now. There are many things why that is the case. One of them is the varying options of the ridesharing service that the company provides. For example, Premium, Economy, Accessibility, and Carpool, among others.
What is Uber Pool?
The Uber Pool is a ridesharing service that Uber provides. This service allows a rider to share the ride with another rider(s) who happens to move in the same direction as them.
Since the ride is shared, the ride fare is much less than UberX. Other than sharing the ride with another passenger, a few pickups, and drop-offs, Uber Pool is more or less the same as an UberX ride.
How Does Uber Pool Work?
Next, how does Uber Pool work? We will explain how it works for both drivers and riders.
This one is for the riders:
- First, open the Uber app
- Enter the destination you want to go to
- Select the “Uber Pool” option. You should find the option at the bottom
- Hit confirm. You will then see the arrival time of the Uber’s driver as well as the duration of the ride to your destination.
- When you have reached your destination, you will then be charged by Uber for the fare. The charge will be done automatically through the preferred payment method that you have chosen before. There will be an option to rate and tip the driver.
As for the drivers, the ride works mostly the same as an UberX ride. The differences are that a driver will have to pickups passengers along the way if there is any request for a ride.
Then they will drop them off when they reach their destination. Also, when a passenger is dropped off, the app then will search for another rider, thus keeping the car fully occupied.
Uber Pool Fare Calculation
Unfortunately, Uber doesn’t give a clear explanation of how the fare is calculated. There is no need to worry though.
The fare charge will always be less expensive than an UberX ride regardless of whether or not you share the ride with another passenger. If you do share the ride, the rate will be even lower.
Things both drivers and riders need to know
The above explanations should help you understand the ridesharing service better. Those are by no means the only thing you need to know about it.
Yes, there are many other things besides the above that both drivers and riders need to know about Uber Pool. For example:
What makes it different from UberX?
Many things. First and foremost, the price as Uber Pool costs between 25% and 40% less than UberX. Second, the ride since you will have to share it with other passengers.
Third, the time which might be longer depending on the number of passengers picked up and dropped off during your ride.
Wait time duration
The wait time duration is not too different from that of UberX. Although Uber Pool is meant for multiple passengers, the Uber Pool driver is allowed to wait only up to two minutes for additional passengers.
Surge pricing
Surge pricing also applies to Uber Pool. That said, the fare will always be cheaper than UberX.
Passengers limit
For a vehicle with four-passenger capacity, Uber only allows the driver to pick up two riders per pickup point. Need more capacity? Pick UberXL instead.
Drop off
The order of drop off on a ride doesn’t depend on the requested orders. Instead, it depends on who reached the destination first.
