Uber bets on affordability with shared fixed-route rides, expanded passes
Uber Technologies on Wednesday unveiled a range of new offerings such as shared fixed-route rides and expanded membership passes, targeting consumers seeking cost-effective ways to travel.
The ride-sharing app has been looking to invest in more affordable transport and delivery offerings to widen its user base and combat slowing revenue growth in an uncertain economic environment.
Uber's new "Route Share" ride option will cost half as much as the company's UberX ride-hail service, by providing pickups every 20 minutes along busy commute corridors.
Initially available in US cities such as New York, San Francisco and Chicago, Route Share will operate during weekday rush hours and Uber is considering partnering with employers to integrate pre-tax commuter benefits.
The company is also expanding ride passes that help users lock-in lower fares and keep costs predictable.
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IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
From lip gloss to luggage: Uber's lost and found index reveals the quirky things South Africans accidentally misplaced
Uber's logo is seen on a smartphone. Whether it's a forgotten pie on the way to a braai or a passport dropped en route to the airport, South Africans are proving that we're not only resourceful and resilient, but also hilariously human. Uber South Africa's recently released Lost & Found Index offers a glimpse into what happens when a little rush, a little chaos, and a whole lot of South African spirit collide in the backseat of a ride. South Africans are always on the move – sometimes so quickly that we leave behind everything from wallets to wigs, wedding veils and water bottles. SA's Most Forgotten Items Phones & Cameras top the list of the most forgotten items left in an Uber. And they're not alone. Here's what else South Africans said an accidental goodbye to: Keys – Because nothing says 'I've had a day' like standing outside your gate, whispering, 'I swear they were in my bag.' Backpacks/Bags/Luggage – When your entire week disappears with your gym kit, your laptop, and your leftover Woolies lunch. Wallets/Purses – Whether you were heading to the club or the carwash, losing your wallet is a surefire way to test your faith in tap-to-pay. Glasses – Ironic how we couldn't see this one coming. Headphones/Speakers – One minute you're vibing to Amapiano, the next you're asking your driver if they've seen your beats. Clothing – From scarves to shirts to that 'borrowed' hoodie you never returned, fashion has its own farewell tour. Passports – Proof that even seasoned travellers can get caught slipping. We just hope it wasn't en route to the airport. Vapes/E-cigs – We're not judging—but we are picturing the panicked pat-down in the Uber seat. Water Bottles/Thermoses – Hydration is key… unless you forget your flask while trying to save the planet. The Most Left-Behind Leftovers Food, it turns out, is another frequent victim of forgetfulness. From grocery bags abandoned during midweek dinner dashes to carefully boxed slices of cake left behind after family gatherings, South Africans are nothing if not optimistic about second servings. We don't just eat with love, we forget with love too. Whether it was meant to be a midnight snack, office lunch, or gran's lovingly packed leftovers, these tasty treats were left to ride solo: Groceries – Someone's dinner plans took a detour. Pie – Probably that one famous bakery pie you queued 40 minutes for. Ouch. Tea – A very South African tragedy: the rooibos never made it home. Cake – Somewhere out there, a birthday ended with candles but no crumbs. Oats – To the meal preppers: we admire your effort. Even if your overnight oats got a little too far ahead of you. When the Drip Doesn't Make the Trip South Africans also have a flair for misplacing the fabulous. From glam squads on-the-go to brides-to-be stuck in pre-wedding chaos, South Africans are clearly doing the most—even if our beauty bags aren't keeping up. Lip gloss, lipstick, lip balm – South Africans clearly believe moisturised lips are non-negotiable (even if we forget them regularly). Hair straightener – That sleek 'just-flat-ironed' look? Left behind faster than your morning coffee. Wedding flowers, heels, veils, suits – Whether it was pre-wedding nerves, a wardrobe change, or a runaway groomsman—we'll never know. But hey, love is patient… and so are Uber drivers. Toys, Tunes and Team Sports We move with rhythm, passion, and a little chaos. Whether you were off to rehearsal, a rugby match, or the school run, these beloved items just didn't make it to the final whistle: Musical instruments (keyboard, guitar, violin, cello, drums) – Somewhere, a budding band is missing its beat. Sports gear (gloves, golf clubs, ski gear, yoga mats, helmets) – Whether you're hitting the greens, slopes or savasana, don't forget your gear next time, champ. Toys (bikes, scooters, dolls) – Every parent knows: lose the Barbie, brace for impact. Uniquely South African moments And then, there are the items that can only make sense in Mzansi. Whether it's our energy solutions or just our vibrant chaos, these forgotten gems tell our real story: Portable inverter – When even your power backup needs backup. Air fryer – South Africans are taking kitchen convenience everywhere—except home. Pink stethoscope – Paging Dr. Forgetful… your rounds were cut short. Blinds – We don't know how. We don't know why. But we respect the mystery. Tent – That weekend getaway? Cancelled. Baby's pram – Hopefully it was just the wheels and not the precious cargo. Graduation gown – Imagine the drama of arriving in a cap and jeans. Their own number plate – Honestly? We love the commitment to being one with the ride. It's giving 'I am the car now.' If you've left something behind in an Uber, the easiest way to get it back is to contact your driver through the app: Open the Uber app Tap 'Account' Tap 'Trips' Select the relevant ride Tap 'Find Lost Item' Tap 'I need to contact my driver' Enter your number Tap 'Call' The app connects you directly to the driver, but if you can't reach them, the app lets you report the item and the Uber team will step in, usually within 24 hours. Forgot your phone in the car? You can use a friend's Uber app, or head to to log the lost item and request contact.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Airbnb scams: New book explores thriving criminal activity on big tech platforms
Airbnb is the world's largest accommodation-sharing platform. Image: Freepik Big tech sharing economy platforms like Airbnb and Uber are marketed as trustworthy, but a new book by a South African media scholar argues that they are highly vulnerable to scammers who spread delusive speech (a form of disinformation, designed to deceive by criminal intent). Julie Reid draws from first-hand accounts and over 600 cases from around the world of victims lured into scams or physical danger by fake Airbnb reviews and listings, providing a detailed case study. How do the scams work? Airbnb is the world's largest accommodation-sharing platform. It connects property owners who want to rent out their homes with travellers looking for alternatives to traditional hotels. The company recently expanded its offering and now facilitates the booking of other services like personal trainers or caterers along with accommodation rentals. Airbnb scams happen in several ways. The most obvious is the phantom listing scam. The scammer constructs a fake but attractive listing on Airbnb and accepts payments from unsuspecting guests. It's only when guests arrive at the address that they discover the property doesn't exist. Scammers have also learnt to navigate around Airbnb's review system. Fake positive reviews are produced by scam host networks, making them appear to be authentic. Bait and switch scams are also common. Here the scam 'host' contacts the guest on check-in day claiming the reserved property is suddenly unavailable. They offer alternative accommodation, which the guest later discovers is not as good as the original property they've paid for (which is often fictional). The guest pays for a premium rental but is forced to stay in a property that might be unsafe, unclean, or missing amenities. Scam hosts use misleading, plagiarised, or AI-generated property images and fake descriptions along with fake personal profiles and aliases. Delusive tactics also redirect guests away from the secure Airbnb payment portal to alternative payment methods. The scammer disappears with the money. But the danger isn't limited to financial crimes. The platform's business model is premised on staying in a stranger's private property, which can put guests' personal safety at risk. Criminal hosts can lure targets into dangerous environments. Once checked in, guests are isolated from public view, housed in a property to which the host has access. I've assessed multiple cases where Airbnb guests were assaulted, robbed with no signs of forced entry, raped, murdered, made victims of sexploitation, extortion or human trafficking, or held hostage. Julie Reid is a professor at the University of South Africa Image: The Conversation How does the disinformation work? I consider delusive speech a subset of disinformation because it presents intentionally misleading content at scale. But it differs from disinformation in its intentions. It isn't done to promote a particular cause or gain ideological, military, or political advantage. Delusive speech is motivated purely by criminal intent or nefarious financial gain. Delusive speech works by hiding in plain sight on platforms we think we can trust, like Airbnb, Uber and others. Often, it's indistinguishable from honest and genuine content. When users browse Airbnb listings for holiday accommodation, they're presented with numerous options. A fake property listing looks, sounds and feels exactly the same as a genuine one. This happens on a platform that has built its brand narrative around the concept of trust. Scammers exploit these digital contexts of pre-established trust. When users log on to popular e-commerce or sharing economy platforms, they're already primed to pay for something. It becomes relatively easy for scammers to delude targets into parting with their money. What can Airbnb do about it? Airbnb already has several trust and safety mechanisms in place. They include rapid response teams, an expert Trust and Safety Advisory Coalition and travel insurance for guests. The company claims to be trying to stop fake listings with machine learning technology. Sadly, none of these mechanisms work perfectly. While Airbnb promises to verify properties and host identities, my analysis exposes flaws in these systems. Scammers easily bypass verification tiers through aliases, forged documents and AI-generated material. Airbnb has admitted it needs to address the failures of its verification processes. My analysis uncovered how scammed guests are routinely denied the opportunity to post reviews of problematic rentals. Opaque terms of service and content policies allow Airbnb customer service agents and executives to justify censoring negative but honest guest reviews. This means dangerous and fraudulent activity goes publicly unreported and unreviewed, leaving future guests vulnerable. I argue that Airbnb's review curation mechanisms should be revamped according to internationally recognised human rights frameworks that protect freedom of speech. This would allow for more honest accounts of guest experiences and create a safer online environment. Perhaps the most common complaint I encountered was that Airbnb doesn't remove offending listings from its platform, even after a scammed guest provides evidence that the listing was posted by a fraudster. Airbnb must develop an urgent protocol for swiftly removing offending listings when discovered, to protect future guests from falling victim to the same scam trap. What can users do to protect themselves? Travellers can protect themselves by being extra cautious. Ask around. Seek recommendations from people you know and trust, and who can verify that the property you are booking actually exists and that the host is trustworthy. If that isn't an option, consider an established hotel instead, but book directly with the hotel and not via third party sites like where listings can easily be faked. Check on Google Street View to make sure the property is where it claims to be. Either way, have a Plan B in case things go wrong. Prepare ahead of your trip by deciding what you will do if you find yourself in an unsafe situation. And always, always, buy travel insurance.
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Breast milk, divorce papers, Ozempic: Uber reveals oddest lost & found items
Uber has released its ninth annual lost & found index, revealing some entertaining, most commonly forgotten items but also some jaw-droppingly unique ones. 'As Mercury finally comes out of retrograde, which astrologists say impacts forgetfulness, we're back with the ninth annual Uber lost & found index. It's our yearly snapshot of the most commonly forgotten and most unique items left behind,' said Uber in a media statement. Unsurprisingly, phones, wallets and keys topped the list of most commonly forgotten items over the past year. Rounding out the top 10 were luggage, headphones, glasses, clothing, passports, vapes and water bottles. The list has also included some unique items such as a DNA testing kit, divorce papers and breast milk. The list also had a urinal, boiled eggs and a candle, as well as two mattresses.
