HOUSTON – It’s hard to deny how essential rideshare apps like Uber are in our lives, but we’ve all heard horror stories about passengers and drivers. Anyone who drives in Houston, knows all too well that getting on the roads can be a dicey experience if you’re not careful.
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That’s why Uber, as part of its efforts to improve safety and fairness for both drivers and passengers, announced it is implementing new features. One of them involves expanding the rideshare app’s verification program to riders, so drivers know more about who is getting into their vehicle.
According to Uber, this all comes from drivers and passengers wanting to know whose car they’re getting into, and likewise, people want to know who is getting into their cars. In other words, they asked, and now Uber is delivering.
“These new verification measures are fundamental to building trust on the platform,” Roger Kaiser, Head of Safety at Uber said in a press statement. “We are thrilled to bring this program nationwide.”
A verified driver and passenger look similar to what you’d find on social media; a checkmark showing a person is who they say they are.
So no, you can’t just pay for one of these badges. I happened to be a verified passenger, so KPRC 2 sent me and our logistics coordinator, Julio Chavez, to try it out and see what other drivers thought about the verification process.
Two of the Uber drivers we spoke with, weren’t verified but had been driving for 6 months and 10 years, respectively. Both drivers liked the idea behind the verification process, with nothing but great things to say about Uber’s commitment to safety.
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While they have had issues with wild passengers, it’s been very rare and reassured us that Uber has always been able to assist in crucial times. That’s why these new checkmark verifications, at least to them are a welcomed bonus to the app, but it doesn’t change how drivers and passengers need to trust their instincts and be mindful of their surroundings. Knowing the driver’s names, and paying attention to the license plate and vehicle instead of accidentally jumping into a car thinking it’s your Uber. This also goes for drivers; communicating with who your passenger is and if you’re picking them up or if the ride is for a loved one.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t hurt to have the verified checkmark for those who’d prefer additional peace of mind. Here’s how Uber’s verification process works:
- Uber reviews rider account details, such as names and phone numbers, cross-checking these with trusted third-party databases.
- The majority of rider accounts will become verified using account details, with no additional action needed from them.
- Riders will also have the option to upload government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or other official documentation, along with a selfie to get the “verified” badge. We’ll also be introducing new verification options, starting with the ability for existing CLEAR Members to verify their identity with CLEAR to get the badge.
- Once verified, a “verified” badge will be added to the rider’s profile, visible to them on their “account” page.
- Drivers will see the “verified” badge when deciding to accept a trip, adding another tool to empower them to make an informed decision. Here is what the driver will see:
For major metropolitan cities like Houston, safety is paramount. With all the stories we’ve read (and I’ve personally written) regarding driver and passenger safety, yeah, this is kind of a big deal.
“In cities where we’ve been piloting this program, drivers agree that knowing riders’ identities are verified by Uber makes them feel safer,” Kaiser added. “We’ve also seen that verified riders tend to have fewer serious complaints from drivers. Turning driver feedback into something tangible reinforces our commitment to build the safest and fairest platform to earn.”
Of course, all these new safety measures could still raise some privacy concerns. But Uber reassures the verification process “was built with privacy in mind.” Drivers and passengers can only see each other’s first and last names, star ratings, and trip details—things that were all previously there, but now you can see if there’s a “verified” badge.
The verification badge is just one of several improvements Uber is touting though. Here’s a breakdown of the safety measures they’re implementing for the safety of drivers and passengers.
- Record My Ride: Now, drivers nationwide can use their front-facing camera to record video and audio during trips, without the need to invest in a dashcam. Recordings are encrypted directly on the driver’s device and cannot be accessed unless the driver submits the file as part of a safety report. Riders will see a notification in the app if they are matched with a driver who has the feature enabled.
- PIN Verification: Drivers will now be able to turn on PIN verification to help confirm they’re picking up the correct rider. Riders will need to provide the unique four-digit code they see right on the trip screen to the driver before the trip can start.
- Rider Accountability: If a driver reports a rider’s disrespectful behavior, we’ll send the rider a warning and share tips with them on how they can improve for their next ride.
- More Clarity on Where Rider Fares Go: Drivers deserve to have a better understanding of their earnings. So, we’re adding an in-app feature to make it crystal clear where every dollar a rider pays is going. Uber’s portion has stayed relatively flat over the years, but some drivers may not realize that a growing piece of the pie is going towards local government taxes and fees, as well as the cost of commercial auto insurance (a requirement in all 50 states, which Uber covers on rideshare drivers’ behalf).