Uber widens senior accounts nationally while carpooling giants target older riders

Uber and Lyft carpool giants run to capture a new segment of runners: seniors.

The two companies, in recent months, have tested their own services adapted to the elderly who include additional security features, live telephone support and simplified interfaces so that it is easier to navigate.

But Wednesday, Uber, which still has a much larger market share, has widened its version – nicknamed senior accounts – nationally, a month after launching its test in Phoenix and Orlando.

The service, which will be integrated into the Uber family profile function, is described as a simplified version of the application. It offers a larger text, fewer buttons and easy -to -navigate screens, told Fox Business Briana Gilmore, global Uber accessibility policy, told Fox Business.

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Senior accounts have a functionality called SAVED squares, which will allow users to click on frequent destinations such as the home or the doctor’s office rather than having to type the address each time. Since the accounts are part of the family’s profile functionality, other members of the account may reserve rides, modify the parameters, contact the pilot and follow driving in real time to obtain updates.

Gilmore acknowledged that industry failed to meet the needs of older runners.

“Transport is really one of the biggest obstacles to independence as we age, as we get aging,” said Gilmore. “It is an obstacle to access to health care. To access healthy foods in your grocery store, be able to take the prescription or over -the -counter medications in your pharmacy and remain connected to your family. We want to be helpful in terms of filling this gap for older adults, realizing that they are more likely to be isolated, which can also lead to isolation on families and whole communities.

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According to Gilmore, Uber has deployed a “stripped” solution for all the elderly trying the platform for the first time, according to Gilmore. Simple mode, found in the Application Account section, is intended for older users who always want total account control, but the same rationalized interface.

Gilmore described it as “a simplified version of the application, all the same large options and safety features, but really a stripped version. Less more buttons, larger text, a more rationalized approach.”

Sign for carpooling services Lyft and Uber, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, California, October 22, 2024. (Photo of Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images) (Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images) / Getty Images)

Uber started testing the two services in early May, just as Lyft began to test its own feature, a rationalized version of its application called “Lyft Silver”.

Lyft, who had only deployed the service to 25,000 people in May, said that she had rationalized the service to highlight the essentials. The runners will receive live telephone support and will be able to share the details of their rides with trust contacts, said Lyft. It will also favor cyclists matching with vehicles that are easier to enter and out.

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In a race to dominate the tension sector, the two large companies quickly deployed similar services. The two have introduced shuttle options, improved airport vans, driving planning and “prices locking” functionality that helps cyclists avoid overvoltage prices – for fees. They also work to integrate autonomous vehicles in their platforms.

However, Lyft CEO David Risher said during the Harvard Business Review Leadership Summit in April that Lyft gained market share by offering its platform features, according to The Observer. He highlighted women + Connect, a program designed to correspond to non -binary women and drivers with more women and non -binary riders.