From the minute Uber Technologies took its place as the ridesharing app everyone has downloaded on their phones, travel has never been the same. The $51 billion business, which was a startup founded in San Francisco in 2009, is simple to use, requires no cash exchange, and can't seem to keep itself away from controversy. Here are 9 facts about Uber that you should know--->
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There are four types of drivers
Uber classifies its drivers according to experience and gives them sweet names. As you might expect, the Pros have been working with Uber for more than six months. New Enthusiasts are brand-new drivers who work full-time for the company. Crossovers are former taxi or black car drivers who have been with Uber for less than six months. And Part-Timers, which make up 75 percent of the drivers, drive Ubers in addition to working other jobs.
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Uber is serious about hiring women
As of 2015, 14 percent of Uber drivers were women. By 2020, Uber has made it its goal to have a 1,000,000 female Uber drivers.
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Uber drivers don't get discounts
Nothing, nada. If an Uber driver needs to take an Uber to get from Point A to Point B, he/she will not be able to rely on company perks: there are absolutely zero ride discounts for drivers.
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Uber is in 77 countries
In just seven years' time, Uber has grown its business to operate in 77 countries and 527 cities around the world. It's most active countries are the United States, China, India, Mexico, and Brazil.
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Cars have to be updated every 10 years
Rest assured the Uber car that picks you up at the airport won't be older than 10 years and must have four doors. All drivers are vetted — they have to pass a background check — and their vehicles are scrutinized for signs of damage and cleanliness.
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Tipping your driver is a touchy subject
Before April 2016, Uber drivers weren't allowed to mention the T-word, never mind post signs reminding passengers that tips would be very much appreciated. That changed after a class action lawsuit in California, which now allows drivers to post a sign saying tips are encouraged. People seem split on how they feel about this and it's a never-ending source of controversy, with Uber holding firm that the "hassle-free" aspect of not asking for tips outweighs a driver's need to accept them.
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Paris had Uber motorcycles
Because Uber has the luxury of operating in diverse markets, it also has the benefit of being able to roll out new initiatives in a semi hush-hush way and quietly dispose of them when they fail. If you were living in Paris in 2013, you could have booked an UberMOTO and driven to your destination on the back of a motorcycle. Needless to say, that didn't last very long and UberMOTO ended in 2013.
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Price surging is common
If you live in a city that has a high demand for transportation, there's a really good chance you're competing for a ride against a slew of other people during peak hours. Uber is transparent about its price surging during competitive times, but the app will notify you when you're in the clear and the pricing has gone down.
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Many drivers are veterans or have military ties
Almost 8 percent of Uber drivers are from military families or are themselves veterans. In 2015, members of the military even celebrated a milestone: Uber announced that over the course of one year, 10,000 members had signed on to become Uber drivers and that they had earned a combined total of $18 million.
[Photo: Instagram]
