Uber will soon let you book a shuttle home after a big concert or football game

Google I/O isn’t the only tech event this week. Uber has just held its annual GO-GET event and announced a whole bunch of new features coming to the rideshare platform/taxi app/whatever you want to call it. Much of this news concerns shuttles and expanded ride-sharing options, particularly a new option called Uber Shuttle.

This allows users to reserve up to five seats up to seven days in advance for transportation to and from major events like concerts and basketball games, although this service is also available for travel towards the airport. The company boasts that this feature is particularly economical, noting that each rider will pay “a fraction of the price of an UberX.” The company promises that these trips will not be affected by the price increase. It’s also worth noting that these shuttles are only for events listed in the app, which is rather disappointing.

Uber has partnered with Live Nation to bring these shuttles to select locations throughout the summer, including Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and PNC Pavilion in Charlotte. These Uber shuttles will not be your typical Nissan Sentra or Toyota Camry. These are real shuttles that can accommodate 14 to 55 occupants. The company says each driver will have a commercial license allowing them to operate a large transportation vehicle.

Rideshare companies have been trying to break the “rebranded bus” for some time now. Uber tried something in 2015, called Uber Hop, which aimed to group together more passengers taking a similar route. It didn’t last, but Uber Pool shared rides existed for years until the pandemic. This time, Uber’s efforts are strictly targeted at events, trying to fill a gap that exists in places where public transportation to and from venues is not very efficient due to our country’s reliance on regard to cars.

GO-GET wasn’t just about shuttles with a new coat of Silicon Valley paint. UberX Share, the company’s replacement for Uber Pool launching in 2023, is getting a new feature that lets users schedule shared rides in advance to save a little money. The company notes that an average rider should save about 25% per trip using this tool compared to a regular ride with UberX.

He says it’s “perfect for commuting” as the company has found that data indicating trips during traditional commute times have increased recently. Uber also says it is “intentionally launching this new offering in cities that have seen some of the highest return-to-work rates.” This includes New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, and Atlanta, with more locations being added in the near future.

The company also announced Uber Caregiver, which lets people book rides for their loved ones to doctor appointments and more. Eventually, you’ll also be able to use it to have things like groceries or over-the-counter medications delivered to you. If you’re caring for someone, they can add you in their Uber app as a designated caregiver, which then gives you the ability to do things like book a ride. Uber says you’ll also be able to get insurance benefits. So if the person you are caring for is in a program that has a set number of trips to a medical service center, for example, these elements can be applied in the app. to save you money out of your pocket. Caregiver will roll out this summer, starting with ride booking options.

Food delivery platform Uber Eats is getting some updates. The company added Costco to its lineup of retail delivery offerings. Costco members will not only receive their products, but should receive an additional discount on top of the membership privileges. Finally, Uber Eats lists are a new way for people to decide what to eat. This allows users to see restaurant recommendations from friends and local foodies. Uber says this “makes it easy to explore a new city or change destinations.” The service will launch in July in New York and Chicago, with more cities to come.

Regular Uber users should look for these features throughout the summer, but not if they live in Minneapolis. Uber is upping the ante after the city council voted to increase driver pay. He would rather leave a bustling metropolis than settle for a slight pay rise. After all, the idea of ​​fair pay could spread and infect the innocent minds of Uber drivers around the world. Long live the totally healthy and normal gig economy.

Correction, May 15, 2024, 2:45 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to correct information about Uber Caregiver and to clarify that price increases do not apply to the Uber Shuttle service. The title has also been updated.