Now that Uber’s frenemy the Philadelphia Parking Authority has finally extended an olive branch, the ride-sharing service is doubling down and perhaps saving you a few dollars.
Uber, which originally announced it would be investing $1 million to increase its foothold in the Philly area during SEPTA’s Regional Rail crisis, is now increasing that investment to $2.5 million. The result should be more drivers in high-demand areas and less surge pricing.
Here’s how it works: Uber will incentivize riders to go to the high-demand areas through better payment options — that’s what the $2.5 million is for. Some of those areas will be near Regional Rail stations for uberPOOL. That service had largely only been available in Philadelphia. Through this investment, uberPOOL will now be available in swaths of the suburbs.
According to Uber, the service will even be available at PHL Airport. Previously, uberX and uberPOOL could not pick up passengers from the airport.
Uber is calling this effort “Philly Moves Together.” The plan also offers discount codes for new riders and current riders who share the information with friends.
