Taxi Driver Online

Uber launches 'Favourite Driver' feature in the UK - here's how it works

With over 45,000 drivers in London alone, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll encounter the same Uber driver twice.

But that could be set to change, thanks to Uber’s new ‘Favourite Driver’ feature, which has launched in the UK this week.

As the name suggests, the feature allows passengers to ‘favourite’ a driver at the end of journey. Then, when a rider goes to pre-schedule a trip in the future, their favourite drivers will be notified in advance, and given first refusal.

An Uber spokeswoman said: “We want to enable drivers to grow their own business in new ways through the app, particularly by capitalising on the great service they provide to their riders.

“Favourite drivers will be given first refusal on scheduled trips. If you schedule a journey to the airport, for example, your favourite drivers will be alerted and have first choice to take the trip.”

However, it’s important to note that Favourite Drivers only applies to pre-scheduled trips, and not those booked on the spot.

How to ‘Favourite’ a driver

1. At the end of your journey, rate your driver 5 stars

2. You’ll then be given the option to add them to your Favourites

3. You can view your Favourite Drivers in your Uber app settings, accessible through the menu in the top left corner

_________________
IDFIMH

Why?

If it's a good idea for non straight away bookings, then why not for straight away bookings?

I personally think it's a great idea for both. But then again I'm good at my job.

Maybe those that aren't will go hungry.

_________________
IDFIMH

Stalking comes to mind . Lots of odd bods out there.

A reasonable point, but I think the fact a driver can refuse should counter act any iffy situations.

_________________
IDFIMH

Thought you could not pre- book an uber vehicle.

That's what I was thinking as well - presumably they've changed things since they said they couldn't take prior bookings? (Sorry to be pedantic, but prior booking probably a better term than pre-booking, because by definition PHVs must always be pre-booked )

The other thing is the stuff about individual drivers 'growing their own business'. Maybe they'll be using this to argue that drivers are self-employed?

In London and a few other places you can, but they don't guarantee the price i.e. if it's surge time it's surge prices.

_________________
IDFIMH

Should they not agree the fare at the time the passenger makes the pre booking.

Uber word it differently, thus they take the booking on the proviso the fare will be given at the time of dispatch, not the time of booking.

_________________
IDFIMH

But that is not the intention of how private hire operations are supposed to work.prospective passenger should have the opportunity of being able to see if he could obtain the same service from another operator cheaper,

Not so sure about that - as long as it adheres to any local licensing conditions, then suspect it comes down to contract law and thus whether the terms of the contract are reasonable and transparent etc.

Which is why Uber gets away with surge pricing - as long as it's flagged up to the passenger and they accept it then the sky's the limit as regards pricing.

And according to Uber's website a 'scheduled ride' (as they call it) can be cancelled without a cancellation fee if the customer is unhappy with the surge price, so not unlike the normal scenario:



Interesting though that according to Uber scheduling like this doesn't *guarantee* a car will be available. It just seems to increase the chances of getting one

I don't think Uber are that bothered either way.

The option of booking hours in advance is something they have recently offered, I'm guessing following requests.

_________________
IDFIMH