The experience of taking an Uber is about to change.
Riders will also be required to confirm that they are wearing a mask or face covering before hailing a car, but there is not a selfie component. Instead, the company is relying on drivers and riders to keep each other accountable.
“Things are going to look a little different for both riders and drivers,” said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi on a press call Wednesday, referring to the new Uber process as “your second first trip.”
As parts of the United States begin to reopen for business, Uber(UBER) — like its rival Lyft and other travel companies — is taking new measures as it anticipates a ramp up in ride requests. Several airlines, whose core business has also been badly hurt by the pandemic, similarly have said passengers are required to wear masks. However, enforcement is difficult after the plane is boarded.
“We have put in several checks and balances because this is something that is really shared accountability,” said Uber’s head of safety products, Sachin Kansal, in an interview with CNN Business this week. “If the driver approaches and the rider sees the driver is not wearing a mask, they can cancel the trip. They don’t have to get in the car.”
The company said there will be no penalties for such cancellations.
