Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are excellent solutions for seniors who don’t want to drive themselves or navigate public transportation. These transportation services give seniors the independence to move freely without owning a car, relying on loved ones, or dealing with inconsistent public transit.
However, one major issue with Uber for seniors is drivers canceling rides. This isn’t just frustrating or discouraging; at GoGoGrandparent, we refer to this as a “critical failure.” For many older adults, a canceled Uber can mean missing important doctor’s appointments, struggling to get mobility assistance, and disrupting an entire routine or schedule. Let’s explore 7 tips to prevent canceled Uber rides.
1. Use GoGoGrandparent.
GoGoGrandparent was founded with the primary goal of stopping these critical failures.
We wanted Uber for elderly adults to be safer, more reliable, and more consistent than conventional Uber. With GoGoRides, seniors avoid many of the canceled Uber situations that are so common with traditional Uber, like difficulty using the app or the inability of the driver to find their house.
Our GoGoGuardians screen drivers and their cars to ensure accessibility, professionalism, and reliability. We also monitor your rides to make sure you get to and from your location safely. If you call us to say, “Uber canceled my ride,” our GoGoGuardians will instantly get you another driver to your exact pickup location to ensure little time is wasted.
We also made it easier to call an Uber for seniors. Traditional Uber and Lyft use phone apps. Some older adults may be uncomfortable with this technology, so GoGoGrandparent offers a dial-in feature. Our members simply dial a toll-free number to call Uber for seniors right to their pickup location. And then our GoGoGuardians do the rest!
Learn more about the benefits of GoGoRides here.
2. Schedule rides in advance.
GoGoGrandparent allows you to schedule rides in advance. This can help minimize the stress of trying to catch last-minute transportation or dealing with canceled Ubers for unexplained reasons. Our scheduling system means you can even automate rides to take you to your weekly fitness classes, hobby events, doctor’s appointments, and more.
Learn how to request a ride on demand for seniors here.
3. Check a driver’s rating.
A common reason for canceled Uber rides is because the driver cancels last minute. Uber uses a rating system, so you can see your driver’s rating based on other people’s reviews. Canceled Ubers are more common amongst those drivers with a bad rating because they may be rude or unprofessional. Many also cancel Uber for senior citizens in favor of finding faster, higher-paying rides.
4. Check your own rating.
Just as users can rate drivers, drivers can also rate riders. If you have a low passenger rating, drivers might cancel the ride.
Unfortunately, a common reason that Uber for seniors is often canceled is because unkind, unprofessional drivers may give older adults a negative rating due to accessibility concerns. For example, let’s say you struggle to get into a driver’s car because they don’t offer the necessary grab bars or ramps. The driver might rate you poorly simply because you took a while to get into their vehicle – even though it was their fault for not being accessible.
GoGoGrandparent addresses this by being a middleman for Uber for elderly. We only work with professional, kind, and reliable drivers. Our Guardians tell the drivers that they’re picking up someone who may have physical or cognitive accessibility needs. This helps create a kinder relationship and a more comfortable, stress-free drive for both parties.
5. Provide clear instructions.
Another common reason for canceled Uber rides is if the driver has trouble finding the passenger’s pickup location. This can be especially problematic for seniors who may have mobility concerns or be unfamiliar with the Uber GPS. Some Uber drivers won’t even drive all the way to your location, and they’ll expect you to walk to their car; this can be problematic for older adults with mobility concerns or health issues. To avoid canceled Uber rides, provide clear and detailed instructions when you request a ride, such as nearby landmarks or special considerations.
Our GoGoGuardians do this for you when you catch an Uber for seniors through GoGoGrandparent. We will communicate directly with the driver to ensure they can meet your accessibility needs and can easily find your pick-up and drop-off locations.
6. Be ready when you request.
If you’re wondering “why uber canceled my ride,” it may be because the driver had to wait for you to get ready for pickup. Drivers have a limited time to complete each ride, and they make money based on how many rides (and how much distance) they do in a day.
To avoid this, try to be outside and visible when the driver arrives, whether for a scheduled or last-minute pickup. You should also have all mobility devices and personal belongings ready to go. If you have specific accessibility concerns, like you need the driver’s assistance to get from the porch into the car, be sure to tell our GoGoGuardians in advance so we can alert your driver.
7. Consider the time of day.
Canceled Uber rides may be more common during busy or high-demand times, like rush hour or late at night. To avoid this, try to request rides during quieter times of day when drivers are less overwhelmed with requests. You can also schedule rides in advance to give drivers time to prepare and prioritize your trip.
Is there an Uber senior discount?
Uber doesn’t have a specific Uber senior discount, but they have a “Senior Day” the first day of each month. Senior citizens over 65 receive two free trips (up to $50 each) between 11am and 4pm. This applies even if the senior citizen is traveling with younger adults or children as long as they show a valid senior citizen ID.
But there is no Uber senior discount any other day besides the first of the month. So, here are some ways to save on your Uber rides:
- Consider Uber’s Ride Pass program, which offers a discount on all rides in exchange for a monthly fee. This is an option if you use Uber frequently.
- Keep a lookout for Uber discount codes and notifications on your phone. They run frequent promotions and coupons.
- Link your Uber or GoGoGrandparent account to a credit card that offers cash back or reward points on transportation. This is a great way to get money back on your rides.
Stopping canceled Uber for seniors
Canceled Uber rides are a huge issue for older adults. Having dependable, professional transportation shouldn’t be such a chore.
That’s why we invented GoGoGrandparent. We wanted to make the ridesharing experience smoother and more reliable for adults. With GoGoRides, you can get all the perks and freedom of Uber rides –without all the downfalls of canceled rides, inaccessible cars, rude drivers, and unsafe practices. GoGoGuardians are constantly screening drivers and vehicles to ensure you have the best possible transportation experience every time. No more canceled Ubers that leave you without a way to get to your appointment!
Register with GoGoGrandparent now to catch a safe, comfortable ride in the next fifteen minutes, or schedule a ride in advance!
