Uber is making plans to launch a new ride-sharing feature called Destinations. It is designed to allow drivers to pick up passengers heading in the same direction. It also means that anyone could be an Uber driver during this time.
The new ride-sharing plan is also designed to add more flexibility to part-time drivers in order for them to make some more money while on their regular commute. The new feature is expected to be rolled out first in Bay Area while other cities will have to wait until a later date before Destination becomes available.
To take advantage of the new feature, drivers must first enter their destination. After that, the algorithm that powers the Destinations feature will kick in and select passengers who are in the general direction of where the driver is going. We understand the feature only works twice per day, a move that allows Uber drivers to give rides during the mornings and evenings.
"All Uber trip requests that a driver would normally receive - whether it's uberPOOL, uberX, or another ride option - can be matched so long as it's in the direction of the driver's destination. It's a great way to earn that last fare of the day heading toward home," according to Uber's Newsroom.
According to an Uber spokesperson speaking to Newsweek, the company plans to increase the number of times drivers can use Destinations during a 24-hour day.
Uber might be a little late to the game since Lyft has been doing the same thing since November 2014. Lyft calls the feature Driver Destinations. At the moment, Driver Destinations is available in six cities across the United States, and this number is expected to increase in the coming months.
The interesting thing about Uber's new Destinations feature is the fact that it could turn anyone into a driver. Anyone going to and from work can activate Destinations and give a person a ride who is also going in the same direction.
