Want a cheap ride? You’re gonna have to work for it. Or at least, walk for it.
If you’re in London, Uber wants you to trot around a bit in the name of efficiency. Sure, you’ll end up spending less time in the actual UberPool, but you might make up for that time by walking — in rainy London — to meet your car. According to Uber’s blog post on the update, the “improved way to Pool” cuts down on detours to save you time.
Now, when you request one of these shared rides (between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., at least), you’ll be directed “to a smart pickup point to meet your driver.” The transportation giant says that its technology ensures that “you and your driver should arrive … at the same time.”
But not only will you have to walk to your UberPool, you’ll also have to walk from it, too. Uber notes that its app will now “choose the best drop-off point — you may be dropped off a short walk from your final destination if that helps to avoid detours.” Sometimes, utilitarianism can be such a drag.
All the same, Uber says, this new system is better for both drivers and cities at large, and promises “speedier pick ups” and lower emissions. After all, the company says, “Our mission is to get more people into fewer cars,” and already in London, these carpools have prevented some 231 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.
“By reducing detours and one-way streets the new UberPool will save riders time and make life easier for drivers,” said Tom Elvidge, the general manager of Uber in London. “Londoners have already chosen to share their Uber more than 2 million times, saving driving miles and emissions as well as money.”
So the next time you’re looking to take an Uber Pool in London, know that you might also get a bit of a workout in along with your ride.
