Uber's New Feature Allowing Users To Rip Their Drivers With "Mid-Ride Feedback" Is The Best Idea They've Ever Had

Source –  Instead of waiting until you’re safely at your destination to let Uber know your driver was on the phone the whole time (or, alternatively, the most attentive listener with killer dinner suggestions), the ride-hailing app is letting you share your thoughts while you ride.

That’s right, giving tips, ratings, compliments, and other feedback is now a mid-ride event. Don’t worry, the driver won’t get the feedback until after you exit the vehicle. 

With this new feature, the app company hopes to encourage more useful feedback. Apparently, waiting until after you ride to comment makes for fewer robust thoughts. 

Uber says it wants to better understand your ride experiences and to recognize top drivers, not just deal with the sub-par situations. As for the not-so-great trips, Uber wants to make improvements beyond just letting drivers know someone was unhappy. They said feedback about bad routes or overly complicated pickups could pinpoint technical problems within the app and platform.

I’ve never been much of an Uber guy, they’re more a pain in the ass than a convenience. I’d rather walk outside, stand on the corner for two seconds and get in a yellow cab than watch my car circle the block for the tenth time trying to find my apartment. Not only that, they’re almost always more expensive than regular cabs, they take longer, and the drivers are too nice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to tell my driver to shut the fuck up after asking them how their day’s going. No, I don’t care what’s going on with your daughters soccer team. Son, maybe, but definitely not daughter.  Don’t even get me going on Uber pools. I got stuck the back of a Toyota Highlander on my way to LIC Sunday morning and was genuinely hoping we crashed. It was hot, I was hung over, my knees were cramping. Getting crushed to death by a big rig would’ve been more enjoyable.

Having said that, I am ALL for mid-ride feedback. I don’t care that my score is going to go down, I cannot wait to rip my driver apart. The second he makes a wrong turn I’m lighting him up.  ‘Accidentally’ went east when you were supposed to go west? Reported. Your phone’s internet is down so you need to use mine? I’ll report that after. Uber’s gotten away with being one of the only businesses that punishes its customers for reporting a shitty product. Not anymore. Don’t be surprised if Uber rides start getting way faster and more efficient now that people can report rides in real time. Maybe now drivers will stop dicking around with the AUX cord and focus on getting you where you need to go, fast. Job well done, Uber. You’ve just earned a customer for life.

PS: If on the off chance you are one of the drivers who has provided me an enjoyable riding experience, disregard this entire blog.