Uber Introduces Tipping Feature To Woo, Retain Drivers

You can now tip your Uber driver after the company introduced a feature that allows customers to tip drivers at the end of a trip or when their food has been delivered.

The tipping feature will enable Uber riders and eaters to show their appreciation through tips for excellent service.

Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber in Sub Saharan Africa said all tips from riders and eaters will go directly to drivers and Uber will not deduct any service fees from the tips.

“Driving and delivering food is more than just getting people and food from point A to B. Every day, our driver-partners and delivery-partners do their best to make our riders and eaters lives easier – from getting them to that big business meeting, or delivering a meal for them at the end of a long day – they do it all. Which is why improving their experience continues to be a key priority for us,” said Lits.

Read: Uber Introduces Bodaboda Service In Nairobi

He said that the tipping feature comes as a result of the feedback Uber has received from driver-partners and delivery-partners through various engagement sessions.

“With this feature, Uber is providing an avenue that will enable those driver-partners and delivery-partners that often go above and beyond for riders and eaters get recognised and rewarded. This could be the driver that waits for riders to safely enter their home or one who works hard to ensure that a meal is delivered in good time,” said Lits.

The new tipping feature will be optional and riders and eaters will be given optional tip values as well as an option to customise an amount for their driver.

The feature will be made available below the rating and compliments section. All tipping payments will be deducted from the rider’s registered credit or debit card, cash-paying riders are free to give their cash tips directly.

This comes as a way of retaining drivers who have been complaining of little rates. The company, now facing competition from other taxi-hailing apps cannot increase the rates as the customers will shift to cheaper options.

Faced with he dilemma, the company has to use the tip feature to keep afloat as well as retaining drivers who are looking for better rates.