No Excuses Now: Uber Introduces a Tipping Feature in Their App

Uber drivers do a lot for us. They sit through traffic, make conversation, put on our favorite tunes, drive us however far we need to go, and they work long hours. Some even have to deal with people who may have had too much to drink, which we all know can be obnoxious. So yeah, we'd say that it's about time for Uber to include a tipping feature in their app.

Before this, many people wouldn't even think to tip their Uber driver. And if they did, usually they'd be able to use the excuse that they didn't carry cash on them. Not anymore.

Of course, that's what makes the new feature so convenient. Now when you ride with Uber, you don't have to carry cash on you at all, everything can be paid through the app and you have up to 30 days to tip the driver.

The way that it will work is simple, once you've ended your drive with Uber you can choose a preset amount or enter a custom amount while rating your ride.

Responses to the feature on Twitter have been very mixed.

No Excuses Now: Uber Introduces a Tipping Feature in Their App — *Images by @davidalangrier/Twitter, @mbleigh/Twitter, @edzitron/Twitter, @ThinkPinkCode/Twitter*

The feature is partly Uber playing catch up with their rivals, and part trying to appease their drivers after the turmoil they have been facing. Lyft has been offering a similar feature in their app for five years now, and it has produced a major profit. The ride-hailing company revealed earlier this week that Lyft drivers have earned $250 million since the feature was released.

However, Uber's rendition of this feature will certainly help them to get the upper hand on Lyft. Uber's market is worldwide, a much farther reach than Lyft and while the feature isn't available everywhere yet, it certainly will be.

This marks another big change in Uber (we're looking at you Travis Kalanick) as the company had previously been against tipping, suggesting it could be used as an excuse to underpay workers. It's part of Uber's 180 Days of Change, a commitment made yesterday by the company to listen to what customers and drivers want and make meaningful changes to follow.

Now Uber says in a statement:

Why now? Because it's the right thing to do, it's long overdue, and there's no time like the present. This is just the beginning. We know there's a long road ahead, but we won't stop until we get there.

Hopefully, this fair new feature will mark the beginning of a turnaround for Uber as they desperately try to keep their reputation intact. Still, you've got no excuses now, so tip your driver!

The feature is now available in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Houston but will be coming to all US drivers by the end of July.