Older people to benefit from Uber phone booking service

Transportation options have been expanded for older Australians, with Uber’s new phone call-based booking service.

The newly launched 13-UBER service has been developed to enable greater accessibility and to support mobility and connection for older Australians. It comes as new research commissioned by Uber found that nine in 10 (93%) Australians aged 65+ feel more confident booking a service via a phone call.

For older adults who are not as comfortable booking rides via an app, dialling 13 82 37 any day will connect riders with an Uber team member who will assist them with booking a ride on demand or scheduling one for up to 90 days in advance. The phone line is available between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm local time to Australians in every area that Uber operates, which includes up to 43 cities and towns across the country.

Nearly half (43%) of Australians aged 65+ don’t feel very confident booking services entirely via mobile apps. In fact, 44% do not feel very confident setting up a new mobile application on their phone, thereby restricting their access to many transportation options that solely rely on automated and contactless online bookings.

“We often hear from riders whose family members want to use Uber, but are unfamiliar with how to navigate a smartphone. Now, with 13-UBER, everyone in the family can enjoy the same effortless Uber experience, even without the app,” said Dom Taylor, Managing Director of Uber ANZ.

The research also revealed that over a third (36%) of Aussie seniors (aged 65+) say that not being able to easily arrange transport is a pain point in their daily life, with more than half (58%) expressing that having access to multiple transportation options encourages them to go out more and be more connected to the community.

“It can feel quite isolating sometimes not having easy access to transport, so it’s great to know that more options are becoming available with an easy booking process,” said Diana, a 77-year-old pensioner living at RSL LifeCare Narrabeen, NSW.

Uber driver-partners in Australia undergo a number of screening processes in accordance with each state’s regulatory framework before being able to drive via the Uber app. Additionally, all trips are GPS tracked the same way as trips booked via the app, ensuring that all riders have access to Uber’s full suite of safety features, regardless of how they choose to book their ride.

Image caption: 13-UBER call centre. Image: Supplied.