Uber has confirmed that it will start to deactivate passenger accounts with a low rating. This will initially roll out in the United States and Canada, but will later be evaluated to be implemented globally. Uber also cited things that can lower your rating such as being rude, whipping the door, leaving trash, drinking beer and vomiting.
The private transport industry is continuously growing with Uber leading the industry. It had reached $36 billion last 2016 and is expected to reach $285 billion by 2030. However, the application faces enormous challenges, both in security and comfort. In recent events, passengers reported a drop in the quality of service, prompting Uber to be strict with their drivers, banning those who receive low ratings and even creating a new program "Quiet mode" which will instruct their drivers to not talk to the passengers if they wish so.
Now, the company of cars on demand is turning the tables around. Uber announced on Wednesday that passengers who receive poor driver ratings will be expelled from the platform. Uber is still finalizing a rating that they will deem below average but is aiming to start this program as soon as possible.
Kate Parker, head of safety initiatives of Uber, said that Respect is a two-way street, and they believe that banning rude users, the same way they ban rude drivers is the right thing to do. Disabling users is part of Uber's emphasis so that everyone who uses the application is treated with respect. The company also said on Wednesday that it is updating its guidelines for the community and basically reducing them to three major issues: treat everyone with respect, help each other and comply with the law.
To start implementing this, Uber will begin to send notifications requesting for acceptance of the new rules making sure that the users understand the consequences of their actions. Then, if a passenger's rating starts to fall, the company will send tips on how to recover from it and will provide users with several opportunities to improve their ratings before expelling them from the application.
Suggestions can vary, but Uber cited some ways to increase points such do not ask drivers to accelerate, do not leave trash in the car, do not smoke or drink in the car and do not vomit. Others such as canceling their trips without any reasons why and even having sex in the car are activities that will give users heavy negative scores.
Uber ended the announcement by stating that they hope and expect that only a small number of users will be affected by the expulsions based on low ratings.
