I don't understand. Are you opposed to drivers earning enough to make it worth their time to provide a service vital to people who don't have any other transportation options?

*eyeroll*

Tipping relieves the business owner of an incentive to pay a competitive wage.

Nothing stops anyone from tipping a driver a few bucks if they've done a good job. Don't embed it into the platform

But often Uber drivers can't break a twenty or sometimes I leave home without cash in my wallet.

I've been using Uber since the beginning (and asking them for this feature), and I am overjoyed that I can tip using the app now. All cab drivers in NYC are tipped, and can be tipped when paying by credit card.

Tipping is part of getting services in the US.

For better or for worse, it is part of the American psyche to pay $X for a product or service. By the nasty, cruel laws of math, the business can only pay a percentage of X out as wages. Some of X has to go to other expenses, such as location charges, utilities, supporting employees, marketing, business services, etc. The remainder, if any, is profit.

In Uber's case, all those expenses exceed revenues. They've been lucky to have attracted a fat load of investment capital. But not every business has that benefit. When outgo exceeds income, you run out of money. So they are given a choice of controlling expenses or raising prices. Raising prices leads to fewer people using your product or service. If the reduction in customers is large enough, you go out of business.

Perhaps it is an indictment on America. Perhaps we should all hold our heads in shame for being cheapskates who don't want to pay the true cost of products and services. But the practical reality is, certain professions need to be tipped to provide a bare-bones level living to those who perform them. Driving people for a living is one of them.

Most of the Uber drivers around here also drive for Lyft. And they make more money from Lyft.

(Mind you, public transportation needs a lot of work around this city, and Taxi companies are good for some trips, but not very affordable for the local 1 - 2 mile trips...)

Haele

Yes, that's what they tell me.

But they get more volume from Uber. Most also say that Lyft riders are nicer.

They are getting pretty blatant about it too!

I've tried to tip Uber drivers and they refuse... With this new feature/policy, they don't need to worry about it.

There is a class action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles that deals with the theft. They are now making drivers sign another document that basically says, if you dispute a fair amount that you agree to accept the final explanation and amount Uber tells you.

They have been using two different algorithms to determine fares, one for the rider and another for the driver. Then they payout on the drivers algorithm which may be (and often is) lower then the rider fare. The Uber contract states the driver gets 75% of what the rider pays....so they are stealing.

With their track record, I would not trust that they report the correct tip amount to the driver.

I always tip both Uber and Lyft in cash,
and they always take it,
willingly.

Sometimes they I don't have the right cash in my wallet, and in some cases they seem afraid to take what I have.... like I'm an Uber corporate spy. This rarely happens, though.

I understand how important tips are to them.

they will usually graciously accept. Even with a tip, it's still cheaper than a taxi.

(Not referring to the Original Post)

I leave wondering if they are from cab drivers.
Here in Albuquerque one of two cab companies went out of business,
saying it was due to Uber's success here.

as in I order a car like normal, and a cab shows up because he uses the app.

The DC taxi drivers commission also brought out their own app for people who want the convenience. https://www.dctaxi.com/ It's very competitive here in a city where lots of folks don't have cars and parking costs much more than a round trip ride in a car service.

I've read they have a system similar to Uber.

Cabs have to evolve to keep up.