What is an Uber Pool? (all you must know)
Uber is constantly updating its ride options to offer more variety in response to changing user needs.
One of the most well-known types of rides is UberPool. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear how it works, which is why we’ve come up with this in-depth guide, so keep reading!
What is UberPool in 2022?
UberPool is a ride type that matches riders heading in a similar direction and offers them shared rides at a lower price. UberPool has shut down, but will now be relaunched as UberX Share in 2022. UberPool allows up to 2 passengers per ride request and doesn’t have a lot of flexibility in pickup locations.
Find out everything you need to know about UberPool, including how it works, shutdowns and subsequent restarts, and more!
Why did UberPool disappear?
UberPool exited in early 2020 to make it easier to enforce social distancing guidelines at rides.
For the same reason, Lyft also suspended its ride-sharing option around the same time.
UberPool is relaunched in late 2021 as UberX Share, a tactic to use affordability to attract customers due to high prices on the platform.
How does Uberpool work?
UberPool works by allowing drivers to pick up different passengers on the same run, even if they have different destinations.
If passengers are heading in the same direction, they are matched with the driver, so everyone in the car follows a route.
For convenience, pick-up and drop-off locations are usually set along the route so drivers don’t have to deviate too much.
As a result, passengers don’t have as much flexibility as to where they get on or off, so they have to walk on and off.
Likewise, passengers cannot change their drop-off location after requesting a ride.
Those who get on the bus first are not necessarily the first to get off, and they often see others getting in and out before reaching their destination.
Drivers will continue to receive requests to ride on UberPool as long as there is a seat in the car while there are other people in the car.
As longer delays are more inconvenient than usual, UberPool drivers are told to wait 2 minutes to cancel the ride and charge you a cancellation fee.
Can you use UberPool with multiple people?
Unfortunately, you can’t use UberPool with more than one person, as the option is limited to two people per request.
Uber tells drivers to count people for each UberPool pickup, and if there are three or more people, cancel the ride and direct them to another option, such as UberX.
However, UberPool can only pick up one person per request, which can result in cars being full, but the riders don’t know each other.
What type of car is an UberPool?
UberPool uses the same vehicles as UberX, which means they are four-door vehicles that can carry up to four passengers at a time.
Because the Pool allows a maximum of 2 passengers per request, this capacity is even.
For this reason, UberPool is open to UberX drivers who can switch between the two ride types at any time.
It is also available as an option to those requesting UberX for themselves or with others.
How much cheaper is UberPool?
UberPool is 25% cheaper than UberX because riders share rides, making it the most affordable type of ride in the country.
What is the difference between UberX and UberPool?
UberPool is a shared ride option, while UberX is the standard ride type available on the platform.
Despite using the same car and driver, UberPool only allows you to travel with one other person, while UberX allows up to 4 passengers per request at no additional cost.
What is the difference between UberPool and UberXL?
UberPool is a shared ride, while UberXL is closer to a regular ride, requiring one request per trip.
UberXL is also focusing on higher-capacity vehicles, such as minivans and SUVs, to accommodate more passengers and luggage, while UberPool drivers can use regular vehicles.
XL allows up to 6 passengers per request, while UberPool only allows up to 2 passengers, regardless of car size.
Does UberPool pay more?
UberPool pays more when drivers offer matching rides, i.e. riders with multiple requests.
Is UberPool worth it for drivers?
Whether or not UberPool is worth it to you as a driver is relative, but we’ve found some drivers reporting that it’s not for a different reason.
For starters, this requires more effort, as the driver may not get a break between rides and has to keep an eye on requests during an active ride.
It also pays more, but the difference is reportedly not that big and only applies to the rides you offer a match.
UberPool also puts drivers in situations where passengers are more likely to be dissatisfied but blame them, threatening their ratings or acceptance rates.
Examples of this include having to walk to and from a car and riding with other unpleasant passengers.
Some riders may also not know how UberPool works, and they choose it simply because it is the cheapest option.
Therefore, they believe that the decision to let other passengers on board was an attempt by the driver to play with the system.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why Uber is so popular, what is Uber surge pricing, and Uber Go.
in conclusion
UberPool is a shared ride type that matches riders and drivers heading in the same direction. It closed in early 2020 but relaunched in late 2021 as UberX Share.
UberPool allows 1 to 2 passengers per request, and uses regular Uber, which means it can take up to 4 passengers at a time. UberPool’s rates are 25% lower than UberX, and drivers earn more by completing matched rides.
