Uber has expanded its Reserve feature to the most affordable products on its app: UberX and XL.
The ride-hailing technology platform launched the feature for Exec and Lux rides in luxury vehicles in May, enabling customers to request bookings with Uber up to 30 days in advance.
But as more cities open back up, the service is being expanded to include the app’s most affordable cars, with X and XL vehicles now available on Reserve in London, Manchester, and Bristol.
Ash Kebriti, general manager for the UK and Ireland at Uber, said: “As the world returns to normal, we’re looking for ways to make everyday life easier for our customers.
“After seeing Reserve’s popularity among customers taking trips in luxury vehicles, we wanted to expand the service to the most affordable products on the app, giving more of our passengers peace of mind by allowing them to plan and confirm their important trips in advance.”
Drivers using the feature will be required to be online 40 minutes prior to the trip to ensure riders and drivers can connect beforehand, with drivers assigned up to seven days in advance.
Drivers will arrive five minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time, and will wait up to five minutes after the pick-up time.
Reserve trips can be booked with a minimum two hours’ advance notice, and can be cancelled free of charge as long as the trip is 60 minutes or more away.
If a rider cancels less than one hour in advance, they will be required to pay the trip minimum fare to the selected driver.
According to Uber, the feature also offers drivers the chance to earn more and exercise further control over their schedule, supplementing on-demand trips with those booked further in advance.
The trips come with a reservation fee of between £3 and £5 and a minimum fare of £30 in London, £16 in Manchester, and £17 in the South West, with the price shown upfront before booking.
Passengers can also add a driver to their favourites list, and their preferred drivers will be offered future Reserve trips in the first instance.
