Uber today announced that passenger ratings will be displayed more prominently within its iPhone and iPad app.
Now, a rider's rating will be displayed right under their name in the app's menu that slides out from the left. Previously, riders had to visit an unadvertised Uber support document and sign into their account to view their score, likely resulting in some riders not even knowing the feature existed.
While most Uber users are likely familiar with rating drivers on a five-star scale after a trip, drivers can also rate passengers. If a rider eats in the car without permission, slams the door, or tries to pile in more people than seat belts, for example, a driver could give that passenger a low rating.
By making these rider ratings more visible, Uber hopes it will remind riders that "mutual respect is an important part" of its Community Guidelines.
Ratings are always reported as averages, and neither riders nor drivers will see the individual rating left for a particular trip.
Uber for iPhone and iPad [Direct Link] was updated earlier this week, but the rider rating change still appears to be in the process of rolling out.
Top Rated Comments
But back to my awful rating! :(
Never used Uber (don't have it here), but it seems like a quick death-spiral into lowest common denominator economics
all part of the BS "sharing economy".
You are not "sharing", you are just selling your services for less than the next person.
As everyone is a freelancer, there is even weaker protection of the customers and the employees (oops I mean service providers) against discrimination and exploitation.
There are no doubt problems with the taxi system, but Uber is not the final answer - and no way that its valuation is anywhere near meaningful in a non-bubble world.
/an engineer
Americans and tipping is a fascinating subject (and most of those i know actually find it awkward). It never actually crossed my mind to tip an Uber driver. What an awkward thing, this tipping thing. I'd rather have a cashless society and decent minimum wages where every unit of income contributes to tax funding a decent health and social security system...
The only time I tip is when in a developing country, in the US or here in Europe but only very small amounts and when I get exceptional service - for Uber that would mean, I don't know, a bottle of water, a particularly great conversation or a "special" trip e.g. to a hospital for an emergency. Interesting and as controversial as ever.