Uber Pays U.S. Drivers to Use Other Transport for 5 Weeks

In its latest push to boost revenue and cut emissions, Uber said Thursday that it will give $1,000 in credits to U.S. and Canadian commuters who avoid vehicles for five weeks and use public transportation

For years, the operator of the ride-hailing and food delivery platform has advocated for the adoption of environmentally favorable electric vehicles.

In an effort to facilitate the complete transition of its driver partners to electric vehicles by 2040, the company has allocated $800 million.

It has formed a partnership with Hertz, a rental car company, to provide Tesla cars as a rental option for its chauffeurs in the United States and Europe. However, the percentage of its total fleet that is currently comprised of electric vehicles (EVs) is unclear.

Uber will select up to 175 car owners in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Miami, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver for the five-week program commencing on July 22, under the “One Less Car” initiative, based on specific eligibility conditions.

They will receive $500 in credit that can be redeemed on the Uber app, a $200 voucher for vehicle rental or carshare services, and $300 to be used on alternative routes, such as public transportation.

In Australia, Uber implemented a comparable initiative last year, which demonstrated that commuters primarily resorted to cycling, walking, and ride-sharing once they abandoned their vehicles.

Transport operators, including major U.S. airlines, anticipate substantial tourist activity and travel this summer, which is why they are making the decision.

Uber estimates that the United States has 233 million private vehicles, with an average of 80 million of them being driven less than 10 miles per day.