For some time now, Uber has been offering a "Taxi" option in its app. An alternative that avoids having to flag down a taxi in the street or look for a charging station, with the key to a rather fluid service: reservation via the app, contactless payment, and all the security options integrated into Uber (driver rating, ride sharing, geolocation, etc.). In Paris, the platform claims around 3,000 partner taxis.
A true fixed rate, like for VTCs
But until now, a major difference remained between taxis and VTCs on Uber: the price. For a VTC, the amount is always displayed in advance. For a taxi, on the other hand, the app gave an estimate, but it was the taximeter that was the definitive answer upon arrival — sometimes with unpleasant surprises. This is the point that the platform has just corrected.
As of this week, Uber offers a system of known pricing in advance for taxis booked via the app. The principle is simple: once the destination is entered, Uber displays the exact price of the trip, which you will pay regardless unless the displayed fare on the taximeter is lower, in which case it is the taximeter that applies. A sort of safety net, therefore, for passengers.
Uber explains that this new feature is based on a model developed since the end of 2022, based on the analysis of hundreds of thousands of journeys. The algorithm takes into account several parameters to stick as closely as possible to the reality of regulated fares: geographical zone (A, B or C), time of day, estimated duration, distance, traffic, average speed, airport surcharges, etc. And the system is constantly evolving based on real-life conditions.
Stated objective: "to put an end to the anxiety of a running meter," according to Uber. And the platform cites an internal study that supports this: 87% of French consumers place price transparency among the most important criteria in their choice of services.
For drivers, there are no changes to the rules. The taximeter remains mandatory at the start of the trip. Upon arrival, the driver enters the amount into the app, which automatically adjusts according to the situation. For them too, advance pricing allows them to better anticipate the journey, in particular thanks to a display of the net amount upon acceptance.
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