Uber today introduced ‘Uber for Teens’ in India, a service designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17 years. This initiative aims to provide a safe and dependable transportation option for young riders.
Uber emphasized critical safety features such as GPS tracking, real-time ride monitoring, and an in-app emergency button to ensure both teens and their parents feel secure. The company stated, “Peace of mind for you, freedom for them.”
A survey conducted by Uber revealed that 92% of parents struggle with transportation options for their teens, with 72% highlighting safety concerns as their biggest challenge. The survey further noted that 63% of parents rely on their own vehicles for extracurricular activities, while 61% do the same for coaching classes.
Key Features of ‘Uber for Teens’
- Teen Accounts with Parental Oversight: Parents can create accounts for their teens, monitor rides in real time, and receive ride summaries after trips for added peace of mind.
- Destination-Locked Trips: Trips booked by teen accounts are locked to a specific destination, ensuring drivers cannot modify the route.
- Highly Rated Drivers: Only drivers with high ratings and thorough background checks are eligible for teen rides.
- Safety Features Always On: Options like PIN verification, RideCheck, and real-time tracking are always active and cannot be disabled. Teens can also enable audio recording for enhanced security.
Additional Features
- Other Riders Allowed: Teens can bring along riders aged 13 to 17 with parental or guardian permission. All riders must sit in the back seat and wear seat belts throughout the trip.
- Guardian-Initiated Rides: Parents have the flexibility to book rides on behalf of their teens when needed.
- Account Transition: When teens turn 18, their accounts are converted into standard accounts with additional features. Parents can still track rides if teens remain part of the Family Profile.
Availability
Uber for Teens is now live in 37 cities across India, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. Parents can access this feature by updating the Uber app and selecting the “Add a Teen” option under Family Profile settings. Uber plans to expand the service to additional locations soon.
Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, speaking about the launch of Uber for Teens, commented:
We recognise the unique transportation challenges faced by teenagers and their families in India. With Uber for Teens, we are committed to addressing these challenges by providing a service that parents can trust and teens will find easy and appealing to use.