Uber to ban passengers if drivers give them bad ratings as company updates guidelines
Uber has always come up with ways by which they can ensure a comfortable ride for passengers and it looks like the organization is set to turn the tables and apply the same for their drivers. The company recently announced that they would be paying close attention to the ratings of the customer and anyone with a low rating will be booted from the platform. However, this will only happen if the customer has developed "a significantly below average rating", as reported by Cnet.
Uber also noted that this wouldn't happen immediately and the passengers will be given their fair share of chances to ensure that their ratings increase. This will be done by sending them suggestions on how they can improve their ratings, which include speaking to the driver politely, keeping the car clean, among others.
The organization noted that they want to care about their drivers as much as they care about their passengers. "Respect is a two-way street, and so is accountability. Drivers have long been expected to meet a minimum rating threshold," Kate Parker, Uber's head of safety brand and initiatives said. "While we expect only a small number of riders to ultimately be impacted by ratings-based deactivations, it's the right thing to do." This comes after numerous stories about the horror uber drivers have had to face in recent times.
Some of them include drunk passengers, passengers having sex in the backseat or people being extremely arrogant and rude to the driver. "While most riders are respectful, banning riders who threaten driver safety, spew racist rants and disrespect or damage our vehicles is the right thing to do," said Moira Muntz, spokeswoman for the Independent Drivers Guild.
She continued, "For too long there has been one-sided accountability, and this is a positive step toward correcting that." The strategy to deactivate users is part of Uber's agenda to ensure that each and everyone is treated respectfully. The company also noted that it will be updating its community guidelines. These have been narrowed into three things: "treat everyone with respect, help keep one another safe and follow the law."
In order to ensure that the customer and the driver are aware of the guidelines, Uber plans on launching a campaign which will aim to educate both, the rider and the driver about guidelines that are acceptable. The organization also noted that everyone has to abide by the new guidelines and if someone doesn't, depending on the offense they will look into the terms of deactivation.
"Any behavior involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using the Uber app can result in the immediate loss of access," Uber wrote in its community guidelines. "Additionally, when law enforcement is involved, we will cooperate with their investigation." These guidelines have suggestions about how people can greet one another in their journey and how both the rider and the passenger can ensure that they have a smooth journey.
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