Uber ditches ‘split fare’ feature. Cue the awkward chats with friends about money.

OSTN Staff

A close-up of an Uber app icon seen displayed on a smartphone screen

Friendships are about to get a bit more annoying.

Uber is getting rid of its ‘split fare’, per an email sent to Uber customers.

The email, viewed by Mashable, states that the ridesharing app will be discontinuing the ‘split fare’ feature, which allows you to share the cost of the trip with friends, colleagues — basically anyone you’re travelling with — within the app itself.

A customer service representative through Uber support confirmed to Mashable the feature is no longer available.

While the email states 21 March as the date of discontinuation, Uber later confirmed to Mashable that this was an error. The feature will actually be temporarily deactivated next month (April), per Uber.

Screenshot of an email entitled "Split fare’ feature comes to an end" which begins as follows: "We are sorry to let you know that from March 21st, we are discontinuing the ‘Split fare’ feature, which allows you to share the price of a trip with other riders."


Credit: Screenshot: Uber / Rachel Thompson

“While we know it can be frustrating to lose a feature that you have come to rely on, rest assured that we are continuously working to improve your Ride sharing experience in other new ways, so watch this space,” reads Uber’s email.

“All other features will still continue to be a part of your usual Uber experience, and we hope to see you on the road with your family and friends again soon.”

Anyone who’s ever shared an Uber with a friend will know that this feature comes in extremely handy when splitting the cost of trips. For example, given that Venmo doesn’t exist in the UK, it seems likely that it’s now going to be more of a faff to share rides with friends if you have different banks and apps. Cue awkward texts reminding friends that they owe you money.

So this news is…annoying, to say the least. But, perhaps something new could be in the works?

An Uber spokesperson said in an email to Mashable: “We are in the process of reworking how riders split fares and the feature will be temporarily removed from the Uber app next month. We know this is a popular feature, so rest assured that we are planning to roll out a new, improved version in the coming months.”

UPDATE: Mar. 22, 2022, 5:30 p.m. CET Updated with statement from Uber.

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