Uber has released a refresh on its rider guidelines, a move that clarifies how riders are expected to behave while availing the ridesharing service.
Previously, only driver guidelines were detailed by Uber, and while rider guidelines were also in place, it was unclear what actions would constitute a ban from using the service. The updated rider guidelines now spell out what is expected of passengers, though the rules mostly deal with common decency and legal requirements.
The Updated Uber Rider Guidelines
"Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself," Uber wrote to lead off the blog post that introduced the updated rider guidelines. The post is also aptly titled "The Golden Rule," showing that while Uber has the commitment to keep driver behavior in check, it will also take action against passengers who are rude, abusive or violent.
The five major principles under Uber's refreshed rider guidelines are be respectful, be on time, care for the car, give people space and follow local laws.
Under "be respectful," riders are expected to respect the differences that they may find between them and their driver or other passengers, and under "be on time," passengers are expected to not keep drivers waiting, or at least inform them if the rider needs for them to wait.
In "care for the car," riders are expected to keep the driver's vehicle clean and avoid dealing any damage to it. The "give people space" guideline, meanwhile, reminds passengers to respect the personal space of their driver and other passengers.
Lastly, the "follow local laws" guideline requires passengers to keep in mind road regulations such as speed limits and the need to wear seatbelts.
Policies On Riders And Drivers
The timing of the release of passenger guidelines, however, is a bit unusual, especially as most of the recent attention has been on the behavior of drivers instead of riders.
The refreshed rider guidelines will likely contribute to a better ridesharing experience for both passengers and drivers. Repeat offenders of the explained policies will no longer be allowed to avail of the service, which in turn will keep more experienced drivers under Uber instead of frustrating them to the point of quitting.
Other Uber News
Last month, Uber released a major makeover for its app that looked to make it cleaner and simpler for customers to request for a ride.
Uber is also involving itself in the self-driving car industry. While some things have not gone according to plan, one achievement that the company has made in the field is successfully delivering 50,000 cans of beer over a distance of 120 miles on a self-driving truck.
