Uber is letting more riders pay for trips with good old greenbacks. Some drivers told Business Insider they're worried that it will make their jobs harder.
The ride-hailing service has expanded an option to pay for rides in cash to "dozens more cities" over the past few weeks, up from five where it introduced cash rides earlier this year, an Uber spokesperson told Business Insider. Cash payments are now available in major cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as some smaller ones, such as Laredo, Texas.
With the new feature, customers can request a ride through the Uber app and pay their driver in cash when they reach their destination. Uber said the old-school approach opens its service to people without bank accounts, credit cards, or other forms of electronic payment.
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As with any other Uber ride, drivers don't have to take cash rides offered on the app, an Uber spokesperson said. They can also opt out of receiving cash ride offers altogether.
Three Uber drivers who spoke with Business Insider said that they see value in offering rides to underbanked passengers. Still, handling cash takes extra steps — and potentially risks their safety.
Roxie Benesch said that she has had a couple of passengers pay in cash this year while driving around San Antonio. One told her she paid with cash because she didn't have money in her bank account, Benesch said.
While serving underbanked riders is a good goal, Benesch said, dealing in cash makes her feel less safe as a driver. As a woman who often drives at night, Benesch said it "would be scary" if a rider knew she had cash on her.
"I think it's worthwhile to do it, but I can understand there's going to be problems," she said of Uber's cash payment option.
On a Reddit page for Uber drivers, some posters wrote that they saw risks from accepting cash on rides. One commenter in March questioned whether it was a good idea from an accountability or safety perspective.
Sergio Avedian, an Uber driver and senior contributor to the Rideshare Guy, a gig driver advocacy blog and YouTube channel, said he was concerned that drivers who accumulate lots of cash could become targets for criminals. He pointed to news reports about cab drivers in areas such as New York City being targeted in robberies.
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The ride-hailing service has expanded an option to pay for rides in cash to "dozens more cities" over the past few weeks, up from five where it introduced cash rides earlier this year, an Uber spokesperson told Business Insider. Cash payments are now available in major cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as some smaller ones, such as Laredo, Texas.
With the new feature, customers can request a ride through the Uber app and pay their driver in cash when they reach their destination. Uber said the old-school approach opens its service to people without bank accounts, credit cards, or other forms of electronic payment.
Related video
Driverless taxi torched by mob in San Francisco
As with any other Uber ride, drivers don't have to take cash rides offered on the app, an Uber spokesperson said. They can also opt out of receiving cash ride offers altogether.
Three Uber drivers who spoke with Business Insider said that they see value in offering rides to underbanked passengers. Still, handling cash takes extra steps — and potentially risks their safety.
Roxie Benesch said that she has had a couple of passengers pay in cash this year while driving around San Antonio. One told her she paid with cash because she didn't have money in her bank account, Benesch said.
While serving underbanked riders is a good goal, Benesch said, dealing in cash makes her feel less safe as a driver. As a woman who often drives at night, Benesch said it "would be scary" if a rider knew she had cash on her.
"I think it's worthwhile to do it, but I can understand there's going to be problems," she said of Uber's cash payment option.
On a Reddit page for Uber drivers, some posters wrote that they saw risks from accepting cash on rides. One commenter in March questioned whether it was a good idea from an accountability or safety perspective.
Sergio Avedian, an Uber driver and senior contributor to the Rideshare Guy, a gig driver advocacy blog and YouTube channel, said he was concerned that drivers who accumulate lots of cash could become targets for criminals. He pointed to news reports about cab drivers in areas such as New York City being targeted in robberies.
Uber now allows you to pay with cash. Drivers worry that it will lead to awkward moments or make them theft targets.
Uber rolled out the option to pay in cash in certain cities this year. Drivers say they're cautious about carrying large amounts of cash.
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