Some Uber users in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego now have the option of paying for their rides and tipping their drivers with cash.
The pilot program, which is also available in other big cities like Orlando and Dallas, allows verified passengers whose identity has been vetted by Uber through government-issued ID or documentations to choose a cash option. And only drivers with a “track record of good feedback” can participate in the pilot.
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Here’s how the program works: When a rider requests an Uber through the app, the driver assigned to the person will see that a cash trip request and have the peace of mind that the passenger’s identity has been verified.
The cash payment option has to be a two-way street: Even if passengers are willing to pay with cash, drivers can opt out. And it is not available from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
If a passenger doesn’t have enough cash, he or she must pay the rest on the app. And if a driver doesn’t have enough change, the passenger will get UberCash to use on their next ride.
Once riders choose the cash option, they won’t be able to change their destination or add stops.
Uber said the pilot program aims to test out the cash option “to make rides more accessible while giving drivers even more ways to earn.”
“We believe transportation should open doors for everyone. Yet the truth is, not everyone has access to a bank account or credit card—and some riders simply prefer paying with cash,” the rideshare company said in a statement.
Not everyone is a fan of the pilot program as an Uber driver named Jose told NBC Los Angeles that the program doesn’t seem realistic.
“It’s going to take me more time in places where I need to stop,” the driver said. “Let’s say there’s a lot of traffic, and there are places where I’m not supposed to stop. I can only just drop off people, and then that’s going to take me more time.”
Jose is at least one of the drivers who will choose not to participate.
“If (passengers) are going to pay cash, good luck with that because I’m not going to do it.”
Uber said it’s also making safety recommendations for drivers, including keeping cash in places that are not visible to passengers and never carrying too much cash at once.
