Uber Launches Service To Help Drivers Connect With Passengers On Their Route

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 1.59.21 PMBetween offering taxi, private car and rideshare options, Uber seems to have a service to meet just about every users’ transportation needs. Today, the company announced it’s also looking out for its drivers, by launching Destinations, a feature that lets drivers tell the app where they’re heading and pick up passengers along the way. 

The service, which went live in the San Francisco Bay area Monday, aims to persuade drivers who live a few miles away from a city’s downtown to get out on the streets.

Through the service, drivers can set their destinations twice a day when they want to be matched with riders traveling in a similar direction. For example, a driver returning home for the day could enter their address and pick up passengers to end their shift.

The feature can be used for any trip, including UberX, UberPool, or black car service, as long as it’s in the direction of the driver’s destination.

The app will automatically filter passenger requests for trips, making sure they’re only coming in from riders along the way, Uber says.

“Drivers mentioned that they have this need where they’re driving around town, and they’d be happy to pick up an extra rider along the way—but they need to go somewhere,” Maya Choksi, senior product manager for Uber’s driver app, tells WIRED. “We started with that kernel of inspiration and basically built an experience around that.”

[via WIRED]

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