Uber Manila Riders, we’re excited for this one!
The real ridesharing is here— uberPOOL.
uberPOOL is a new ridesharing service of Uber which will be in testing phase starting June 15, 2016. UberPOOL matches requests from riders if they’re coming from the same area, heading in the same direction, at the same time.
UberPOOL allows riders to share their rides with other riders. In the process, save on fare (it’s 25% cheaper than uberX) and help decongest the roads since it’s NOT 1 car = 1 rider anymore. Panalo! Cheaper fares for riders and less Uber cars on the road (aminin nyo, andami na talagang ridesharing cars on the road).
Refer to this tutorial about UberPOOL:
UberPOOL Summary
How to Book an UberPOOL Ride?
UberPOOL FAQs
SUMMARY FOR RIDERS:
- You need to enter your destination when you request for an uberPOOL ride (unlike before that you can leave the destination blank when requesting). This is to allow the app to match you with other riders heading in the same direction.
- When you request for an uberPOOL ride, you’ll get a quote for an upfront fixed fare that is 25% less than uberX! This fare is fixed regardless of whether you’re matched or not.
- Each rider can have only ONE DESTINATION and you CANNOT CHANGE your pickup location or destination after you request.
- Once you’ve been matched with a co-rider, you’ll receive a notification with that rider’s name and who’s being picked up first. To ensure there’s room for everyone, there only be a MAXIMUM of 2 riders per pickup.
- Because you may be sharing your ride with other people who requested for uberPOOL, a few minutes will be added to your trip time to pick-up and/or drop-off other uberPOOL riders. So, if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to be bothered, better request for a usual uberX or uberBlack.
- Riders are discouraged to let the driver and co-riders wait. Uber only allows 2 minutes waiting time at your pick-up point. Otherwise, the drivers can cancel your uberPOOL request. This is just courtesy and respect for the time of your co-riders.
How to Book an UberPOOL Ride in MNL
Step 1: Request
- Under uberX, select the uberPOOL option.
- Set your pick-up location AND destination so you can get the upfront price.
REMEMBER: You NEED to input your DESTINATION upon requesting and you CANNOT change your destination anymore. And only 2 riders are allowed per uberPOOL request.

Step 2: Select Number of Seats
- Select the number of seats. If you select 1 or 2 you’ll be given the option to ride uberPOOL.
- If you select 3 or 4, you’ll be automatically requesting for the usual uberX.
Step 3: Select UberPOOL = LEFT
- If you choose 1 or 2 seats, you’ll be given the option to request for an uberPOOL (left side of screen showing exact fare) OR uber X (right side of screen showing a estimated fare)
REMEMBER: uberPOOL = LEFT; uberX = RIGHT
Step 4: Ride & Go with the Flow 😉
- Wait for your driver to arrive at your pick-up point.
- You may be matched with another rider traveling along a similar route.
- Picking up additional riders may add a few minutes to your trip, but this guarantees a cheaper fare.
- OR if you’re lucky and your uberPOOL ride is NOT matched, you still enjoy the ride by yourself just like an uberX ride but at 25% less fare. 😉
REMEMBER:
BE ON TIME. The driver will only wait for you for 2 minutes else, the driver will cancel and continue on their trip. This is to avoid causing delays to your co-riders.
STAY ON TRACK. The Uber App recommends the best and most efficient route to pick-up and drop-off uberPOOL passengers. If you rode first doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be dropped off first. Don’t pressure the driver into taking other routes or making multiple stops this may cause more delay to other co-riders.
BE THE RIDER YOU WANT TO RIDE WITH. It’s all about RESPECT. Respect the personal space of your co-riders, keep your conversations low. If you’re fresh out of the gym and still sweating, you might want to get an uberX instead. If you can avoid eating and leaving trash, please do so, same goes if you’re riding uberX and uberBlack 😉
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
DOES SURGE PRICING APPLY TO UBERPOOL?
Yes, uberPOOL fares are estimated in relation to uberX rates. When prices surge on uberX, prices also surge on uberPOOL.
But, uberPOOL will still always be cheaper than uberX since your likelihood of getting matched is taken into consideration when calculating your guaranteed uberPOOL fare.
CAN I BRING OTHER PEOPLE?
HOW IS MY CO-RIDER CHOSEN?
Co-riders are matched according to similar pickup locations and destinations with the most efficient route based on your request. Once you start your uberPOOL trip, you CANNOT ask the driver to cancel on the other rider.
This is also a good way to meet new people and you already have a thing in common— uberPOOL! 🙂 Otherwise, if you don’t want to share your ride, you can always request for the regular uberX or uberBlack.
WHAT IF I DON’T MATCH WITH ANOTHER RIDER?
If there is no rider near you with a similar route, you’ll get a solo ride (just like taking uberX), but will still only pay the guaranteed fare quoted in the app before you requested.
LUCKY YOU, enjoy your cheaper Uber ride, in style. 😉
WHAT TYPE OF CAR WILL I GET?
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? WILL I GO OUT OF MY WAY?
We match riders in a way that does not significantly increase your trip time, nor take you far out of the way. If you get matched with another person, expect that just a few minutes will be added to your total trip time.
If there is no rider near you with a similar route, you’ll get a solo ride, just like taking uberX (but cheaper!).
This is also a good way to meet new people and you already have a thing in common— uberPOOL! 🙂 Otherwise, if you don’t want to share your ride, you can always request for the regular uberX or uberBlack.
I WAS PICKED UP FIRST—WHY WAS I DROPPED OFF SECOND?
CAN I BRING LUGGAGE?
Yes, you can. But remember—there will need to be room for another person and their belongings in the car.
If you know you’ll be bringing big luggages, you can always request for an uberX or uberBlack.
CAN I CANCEL THE TRIP?
If you must cancel more than 5 minutes after requesting, you will be charged a P100 fee, similar to an uberX cancellations.
But please avoid this since when you request uberPOOL, you’re making a commitment to both your co-rider and the driver. Cancellations damage both of their experiences, so please don’t leave them hanging!
TIP: Riders are discouraged to let the driver and co-riders wait. Uber only allows 2 minutes waiting time at your pick-up point. Otherwise, the drivers can cancel your uberPOOL request. This is just courtesy and respect for the time of your co-riders.
CAN I CHANGE MY DESTINATION OR PICKUP LOCATION?
Share with us your experience when you try UberPOOL on June 15, 2016!
Let us know if you think uberPOOL can really help decongest Metro Manila traffic.
For more details and info: https://newsroom.uber.com/philippines/uberpool-mnl-faqs/#12
Photos, videos and gifs credits to www.uber.com
Hope this article helped. Let us know in the comments sections if you have any questions or suggestions. You can also reach us at info@ubermanilatips.com. We would love to hear from you!
Don't forget to Like UberMNLTips on Facebook and subscribe to our blog for more practical tips and latest updates and promos!
I am an uber partner, I’d like to ask if we have the option not to belong to uber pool?
As of now, it’s mandated by Uber that all uberX will also receive uberPOOL requests
is uber fee the same for both uber x and uber pool? Seems not consistent based on the current computation.
Nope UberPOOL is cheaper by 25% from uberX. Please see the FAQs
I mean for Uber partner/driver. Is uber charging the same % of the total fare at 20%?
I don’t think this can be done in the streets of Metro Manila where the traffic is horrible. I have 9 units with Uber and my driver said he took 11km and 55min travel time with 2.6 surge and not to mentioned you less 35% from the regular 20% cut… the final payout 173.55. All of them are complaining. I asked all my drivers to Uber off until the testing is over. We are spending money more than we earn and this is bad for business.
it says here that i will only have to pay the guaranteed fare quoted before i requested the ride (uberpool) regardles if i didnt match another rider, but why did my fare went to 408php from 291.73php (quoted before request)?!
If you had an issue with your trip (about payment, lost and found, driver behavior,etc), here’s a tutorial how you can report your issue about your Uber ride:
http://ubermanilatips.com/how-to-report-an-issue-with-your-uber-ride/
Hope this helps. Like UberMNLTips on Facebook.
i already reported the issue and they said that the price quoted before the request is just an estimation. its really confusing
Hi, I think its better to use van for uberpool, it can really help our transportation system rather than 2 passengers.. imagine how a van can pick up atleast 10-12 passenger in an area and can bring them the same way of destination? Thats a great idea.