Sometimes when you’re travelling you just need transport you can count on. If you need to get to a train station, airport or client meeting at a set time, even a small delay can be hugely frustrating.
While Uber is well known for offering a rapid pick up service in most towns and cities around the world, there are occasions when even this isn’t fast enough. So, in response, we launched Uber Reserve to provide riders with greater certainty – and it’s proving to be extremely popular. So much so, we’ve seen the number of trips booked via our Reserve feature rise 60% over the last quarter.
Less waiting around
Uber Reserve allows business travellers to schedule a ride up to 90 days in advance – with upfront pricing that locks in the fare at the time of booking, helping to avoid unexpected surcharges. But this isn’t the only advantage.
One of the key benefits of Reserve (that perhaps goes under the radar) is that it also gives business travellers up to 15 minutes extra wait time, depending on ride type. This removes a lot of worry if you get held up for any reason. If you are exiting a client meeting and it’s taking a bit longer than you expected, it’s good to know your driver won’t be rushing off if you don’t promptly turn up at your pick up spot.
This is a key reason why Reserve is often favoured by travel bookers, such as personal
assistants and office managers, who are booking rides on behalf of others. It provides them with reassurances that their executives will not be left waiting.
Preference for premium
A reliable transport service is essential but it’s not the only thing that matters when travelling for work, of course. In a survey of business travellers, conducted by Uber for Business, the participants made it clear that they also wanted greater comfort.
Alongside short wait times, comfort topped the list of ground transport priorities for travellers. This is understandable, especially if you are someone who does a lot of travelling. If you are having to constantly endure cramped conditions it can take a toll and leave you feeling far from optimum – which isn’t ideal if you then need to sparkle in a client meeting.
It is a key reason why business travellers are increasingly opting for premium transport
options such as Uber’s Business Comfort, Business Exec and Lux. Rides in these higher-
end vehicles have risen by 35% over the last quarter.
Enhancing business travel
We’re aware that travel can be draining and to help combat that we want Uber for Business to reduce the stresses and strain involved. We are constantly looking to improve the offering you receive when you swipe across to your business profile on the Uber app.
Whether that’s providing you with the ability to access our food delivery service, gain double Avios on every ride or automate your company expenses, it can all make a big difference to the travel experience.
We don’t know for sure how user demand will shift over the next year, but we are always listening and taking steps to ensure every journey is that bit more enjoyable.