Uber Finally Allows Tipping, About Time

Although Uber drivers have been chauffeuring passengers all over cities for years, leaving many quite satisfied, one of the most requested features was still missing; tipping. Customers could certainly choose to tip their drivers if they wanted to, but this was officially against Uber’s policy. This just changed with a recent announcement of new features and services for both passengers and drivers.

Being able to receive tips is just one of the many changes that Uber executives have planned over an 180-day period, Engadget reports. These adjustments in policy follow the tumultuous developments within the company, with executives and key employees either resigning or getting the boot. Heck, the CEO himself might not be in a secure position.

All of these things are happening in a bid by Uber to win some of the users that it lost after a series of embarrassing scandals and allegations of discrimination within the company. In any case, executives sent an email to contractors, stating that some places will now allow tipping for the drivers. These include Houston, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

There are also other benefits that drivers will get, including a shorter cancellation time of two minutes instead of five. If drivers are forced to two minutes for passengers will be paid for those minutes and teens passengers will now constitute a $2 bump.

As to how the new tipping service will work, it’s going to be accessible via the Uber app, The Verge reports. After downloading the latest version, drivers can ask passengers if they wanted to leave a tip after the ride. Passengers can then choose from pre-determined amounts starting at $1 or they could choose custom numbers.

If passengers can’t provide the tip at the time, drivers could still benefit from the extra cash via 30-day open period. The riders can basically tip their drivers a month after the ride is done.