Uber Canada is launching a brand new rider verification system to assist create extra belief between riders and drivers.
Over the subsequent two to a few months, the power to confirm will roll out to riders in all Canadian cities. Riders who full the verification course of will get a verified badge on their profile that will probably be seen to drivers.
Notably, Uber arrange the verification course of in such a means that the majority riders received’t must do something extra to change into verified. Step one within the course of includes cross-checking account particulars Uber already has on file, reminiscent of names and telephone numbers. Uber says that this will probably be adequate to confirm the “majority of rider accounts.”
Uber can even present an possibility for riders to add government-issued identification, like a driver’s license or passport, together with a stay selfie, to get the verified badge. Uber says it designed this course of with privateness in thoughts, and that it shops verification information securely and encrypts ID paperwork. Additional, drivers don’t see this data, with solely a rider’s first identify, star ranking, journey particulars, and now the verified badge being seen.
“In cities the place we’ve been piloting this program globally, drivers agree that figuring out riders’ identities are verified by Uber makes them really feel safer,” mentioned Michael van Hemmen, basic supervisor at Uber Canada, in an e mail to MobileSyrup. “We’ve additionally seen that verified riders are inclined to have fewer severe complaints from drivers.”
Alongside the brand new verification course of, Uber is engaged on a number of different options to assist handle painpoints for drivers.
First, there’s an possibility for drivers to set a rider ranking choice, which can assist guarantee drivers are matched with riders they’re comfy with. This choice may be toggled on or off, giving drivers extra alternative over after they settle for poorly-rated riders. Uber will pilot this characteristic later this yr.
Subsequent up is a change to how some supply cancellations will influence deliverer rankings. Uber says that cancellations exterior of a deliverer’s management, reminiscent of as a result of a restaurant is closed, will now not rely in opposition to their rankings. Uber says it’s additionally engaged on its skill to detect low rankings for issues exterior of the supply driver’s management to assist cut back the influence on their rankings. This characteristic will launch in pilot within the coming weeks earlier than a full rollout.
Lastly, Uber will add a rides heatmap for drivers later this yr. The heatmap will present the place drivers see the shortest wait occasions in crimson, orange and yellow. It would additionally spotlight high-demand areas in purple. Uber says the extra information will assist drivers determine the place and when to go to get extra rides.
Header picture credit score: Shutterstock
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