From The Verge: Uber is suspending its Uber Pool service in the US and Canada in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The move comes after the company expanded its paid sick leave policy for drivers.
UberPool, the service that matches up to three riders in one car based on their destinations, is one of the cheapest transportation options on the company’s platform. The decision to suspend the service will likely come as welcome news to drivers who often complain about low ratings, an inefficient algorithm, and roundabout directions that tend to annoy riders despite the low fare.
“Our goal is to help flatten the curve of community spread in the cities we serve. With that in mind, we are suspending the Uber Pool service in the United States and Canada,” Andrew Macdonald, senior VP of Uber Rides and Platform, said in a statement. “We remain in close contact with local leaders and will continue to work with them to discourage non-essential travel.”
Uber is still mulling whether to pause carpooling in other markets where it is active. Uber’s regular service, which includes Uber X and Uber Black as well as Uber Eats delivery service, is still operational during the pandemic. San Francisco’s “shelter in place” policy bans most nonessential transportation, but the city is allowing some ride-hailing to serve health care workers and emergency service providers.
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