San Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc. took the transportation industry by storm when it released its groundbreaking ride-hailing app in 2009.

Uber is available for Google Android, Apple i🍌OS, and as a web app. The app connects riders with nearby screened drivers who provide rides in their private vehicles. Passengers pay competitive prices for the service, which is cheaper than traveling by taxi in many places.

On a cold and snowy evening, StumbleUpon founder Garrett Camp and his business partner Travis Kalanick had trouble finding a taxi. That experience inspired them to start the ride-hailing company. Uber celebrated 10 billion rides with much fanfare in June 2018 and as of the second quarter of 2024, had provided over 52 billion rides.

Uber's highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) took place in May 2019. Although the stock's price initially tumbled, Uber was worth over $145 billion as of August 12, 2024.

The company reported that about 156 million people actively used Uber each month as of the second quarter of 2024. There are so many Uber enthusiasts that industry observers sometimes ไwonder why so many people choose it.

Read on to learn four majo✱r reasons why consumers ride with Uber.

1. Fast Trips Any Time, Almost Anywhere

Many be𝓡lieve that the failure of taxi companies to get customers to their destinations quickly enough is what allows Uber to thrive.

The taxi companies ꦅoften blame their drivers for being unable to pick up and transport passengers in a timely manner. The taxi drivers respond by complaining about the low fares customers pay for short-distance trips, creating a cycle of inefficiency for taxi companies.

While wait times vary, Uber customers typic🍌ally spend far less time ౠwaiting for their rides than customers of traditional taxi services.

Riders also have the option through UberX Share, the app’s ride-sharing feature, to share rides with others heading in the same direction. As a result🐭, Uber customers typically get where they ✨are going faster or more cheaply than they would by taxis.

Public transportation doesn't run around the clock, and not all 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:taxi companies𒀰 run 24 hours a day. People who work long hours or party late often use Uber to get home quickly when bus and metro train lines are shut down.

2. Safety

Riders choose Uber over other transportation methods for safety reasons. The company has experienced serious incidents in the past, such as drivers attacking passengers. However, Uber now requires all prospective drivers to submit to motor vehicle and criminal background checks.

In fact, the company runs annual background checks. The checks include a search of multistate criminal databases, motor vehicle records, and a review of the National Sex Offenders Database.

3. Post-Party Rides

It may be difficult to persuade taxi drivers to pick up riders who have had too much to drink in obscure parts of town late at night. However, there are around 7.4 million Uber drivers and couriers in over 10,000 cities worldwide who are ready to serve such needs.

Partygoers can rely on being able to find available Uber drivers through their apps in the wee hours of the night. Picking up intoxicated passengers is not without its challenges. Rowdy passengers have even attacked drivers on s💮ome occasions.

Uber drivers in India were the first to get access to a panic button on the Uber app to contact the police for this type of emergency. Uber drivers operating in the U.S. gained access to the panic button in 2018.

4. Lower or No Car Ownership Costs

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:true cost of owning a car is higher than most people think. Consumers paid an estimated $12,182 to own and operate their vehicles in 2023.

Urban dwellers who don't use their cars regularly (or at all) can save money by using Uber. These savings apply mostly to riders who don’t need cars daily but sometimes need a ride for weekend outings and other special occasions.

However, the combination of Uber and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:expanding online grocery delivery is making it more practical t🤪o live without a car.

The Bottom Line

Uber offers a ride-hailing service accessed through its smartphone app. Many riders choose Uber because its drivers can usually get them to their destinations faster than public transportation or taxis, it's considered a safe method of travel, it's an attractive option when driving yourself isn't feasible, and it can cut car ownership costs.