Uber, the global rideshare and food delivery giant, is set to expand its services by introducing a new feature known as Dine Out in Sydney, marking a world-first initiative. This development was unveiled at Uber’s fifth annual product showcase, the Go Get, held in New York City. The Dine Out option, in collaboration with restaurant-booking service OpenTable, will enable customers to seamlessly book a table and arrange for an Uber ride to and from the restaurant in a single transaction.
Ed Kitchen, Uber Eats’ managing director for Australia and New Zealand, expressed excitement that Sydney is the first city globally to trial this innovative product, emphasising its potential benefits for local restaurants and residents alike. Kitchen also hinted at plans to roll out Dine Out to Melbourne in the near future.
The Dine Out feature is expected to initially include renowned Sydney eateries such as Catalina and Wings and Tins, along with existing Uber Eats partner restaurants that have previously only offered delivery through the app.
In addition to the Dine Out launch, Uber is also venturing into the realm of autonomous vehicles through a partnership with Volkswagen. They plan to introduce the self-driving VW ID.Buzz Kombi van as a rideshare option in Los Angeles next year. While this indicates a forward-looking approach, Aussies will need to wait a while longer for driverless Ubers.
Amidst these developments, Uber is also enhancing its current offerings with several new features for its users. This includes introducing Ride Passes that let subscribers secure a fixed fare on chosen routes, shielding them from surge pricing during peak traffic or adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, users can buy a Prepaid Pass to purchase multiple rides at a discounted rate.
In an effort to bring back carpooling benefits, Uber is launching Route Share, which will allow passengers to save up to 50% on fares by sharing the ride with others on busy routes.
Additional offerings for Uber One subscribers include Member Days, which provide exclusive discounts from partner businesses, and a Savings Slider feature for comparing prices on popular grocery items available via Uber Eats.
Overall, Uber’s latest initiatives reflect its commitment to innovating in the food delivery and rideshare sectors, providing enhanced convenience and value for Australian users.