Uber’s new features could slash your ride costs by up to 50%
The company is going after budget-conscious riders with fixed-route pickups, affordable ride passes, and savings tools.
At its annual Go-Get event, Uber unveiled a new wave of budget-first features designed to make commuting more affordable and more predictable. The biggest reveal, though, was Route Share—a shuttle-style ride option that could cost nearly half as much as a typical UberX.
The idea is simple: Instead of door-to-door service, Route Share uses fixed pickup and drop-off points along busy city routes, running every 20 minutes during weekday rush hours. Riders might walk a few blocks but could save up to 50% compared to UberX fares. The service has launched in seven U.S. cities, including New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, with more on the way including Brazil.
Uber says it’s “complementary to public transit,” but the comparisons are unavoidable. With set routes, shared seating, and low prices, Route Share looks and feels like a bus, but inside a car. Still, it fits Uber’s wider strategy: tap into commuter demand and court more price-sensitive riders.
This isn’t the only affordability play Uber rolled out at the event. A new $2.99/month Price Lock Pass lets frequent riders freeze prices on select routes for 30 days, while Prepaid Passes offer discounts of up to 20% for customers who buy rides in bundles. These features will be accessible through a new commuter hub in the app later this year.
On the delivery side, Uber Eats introduced a “Savings Slider” that swaps grocery items for cheaper alternatives based on how much you want to save—potentially cutting costs by 15–20%. And Uber is also expanding its integration with OpenTable, letting users reserve a restaurant and book a discounted ride in the same flow.
Coming off a recent quarter where Uber turned a profit and emphasized daily usage over price hikes, these updates underline its current focus: give its ~161 million users more reasons to open the app without burning their wallets.
Techloy
