Uber Introduces New Way to Book Rides without a Phone

Rideshare giant Uber has recently announced a new, phone-free method for booking rides, reminiscent of the days when travelers would line up to hail a taxi. The company plans to install physical kiosks, starting with one at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, to allow travelers to request rides without having to download the Uber app onto their phones.

The first kiosk will be located at Terminal C in LaGuardia Airport, with plans for future rollouts at hotels, ports, and international airports in the coming months. According to Uber, this new way of booking rides is perfect for international visitors who may not have a local data plan. Travelers simply have to walk up to the kiosk, enter their destination, and select their ride type. The kiosk will then print a paper receipt with all the trip details, making the experience straightforward and convenient.

The rideshare company also announced the launch of a new Uber Shuttle at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, joining the existing shuttle services at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport. This means that all three major New York City-area airports are now accessible via Uber’s shuttle service.

In addition to these changes, Uber has also introduced a new feature that allows users to tip their driver from the lock screen of their phone before the trip ends. This eliminates the need to wait until after the trip to tip, and early pilots have shown an increase in tips for drivers since implementing this feature.

These updates come at a time when major events, such as the World Cup, are expected to bring in a significant number of international travelers to the US. This presents a strong opportunity for Uber to expand their business, according to a company spokesperson who spoke with Bloomberg. The spokesperson also stated that Uber will initially own and maintain the kiosks, but the operational model may evolve in the future.

Earlier this year, Uber announced other major changes, including the launch of their autonomous taxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026. The company has partnered with electric car company Lucid and self-driving technology company Nuro Inc.to develop this service. While the program will first launch in the Bay Area next year, Uber plans to have over 20,000 autonomous taxis in multiple locations within the next six years.

With these new updates, Uber aims to make holiday traveling easier and more convenient for its customers. Whether it’s through booking rides without a phone or easily tipping their drivers, the company continues to evolve and improve their services for a seamless and enjoyable experience for all travelers.