What is an on demand ride with Uber?

Posted by: RideGuru Team Jan 18, 2019
Updated Jan 16, 2020

13 comments

When Uber debuted their scheduled rides feature, riders were excited that they could schedule their favorite form of transport for those important meetings and strict airport departures. However, riders soon learned that Uber's scheduled rides are not guaranteed and that in some cases using a local car service might be the better option. Here are our thoughts on when not to use Uber or Lyft's scheduled rides feature.

1. If you live in the burbs.

If you live in a quiet residential area, a commuter ride away from your home city, we would recommend not using Uber's scheduled rides feature if you have somewhere important to be. While Uber's scheduled rides are not guaranteed, they can work quite well in densely populated areas where there are always lots of drivers available. When you live in a quieter suburb there is a smaller chance that Uber will be able to find a driver for your scheduled ride.

2. If you absolutely cannot miss your ride.

If you are scheduling a ride for something that you absolutely cannot miss, perhaps an important plane departure or a multi-million dollar deal discussion with a client, then we recommend that you skip Uber's scheduled ride feature and book a dependable car service instead. It might be slightly more expensive but you will have peace of mind knowing that your ride is 100% guaranteed.

3. Airport Arrivals

We get asked all the time if riders need to schedule a ride from the airport to their destination. Our answer: absolutely not. Airport arrival pickups are very easy to get on demand, many drivers station themselves near airports as they are almost guaranteed someone is going to ping them for a ride. When you plane lands and you have retrieved your luggage simply make your way to the rideshare pickup area and request a ride. You should have a car waiting for your in 5-10 minutes! Plus, by reserving your ride on demand, you don't have to worry about flight delays and missing your scheduled Uber.

The good news!

Uber has recently rolled out a "scheduled rides guarantee". When you schedule an Uber ride at least 30 minutes in advance of your trip, Uber guarantees that your driver will pick you up within 10 minutes of your desired departure window. If an Uber driver does not arrive within 10 minutes, Uber will send you a $10 Uber credit to use on a future trip.

While this is a nice bonus, $10 most likely will not make up for the aggravation of missing a flight or that all-important company meeting.

Please note, this guarantee only applies to UberX, XL, Black, Select, and SUV.

Still have questions on if you should schedule that Uber or Lyft ride? Ask experts, drivers, and locals for their advice on our forum!

Important Update on Wearing Masks on The RIDE Flex

Updated April 20, 2022

Our RIDE Flex partners, Uber and Lyft, have lifted their mask mandates for drivers and riders. If you have registered for The RIDE Flex but would feel more comfortable riding with masked drivers and fellow riders, we recommend the following:

• Use The RIDE instead of The RIDE Flex, as The RIDE still requires masks be worn in their paratransit vehicles
• When you schedule with The RIDE Access Center (TRAC), ask to opt out of having The RIDE trips shifted to Uber or Lyft

For more information on Uber and Lyft’s respective mask policies, please visit their websites:

• Uber
• Lyft

Learn more about our latest coronavirus updates

Plan Trips with Help from The RIDE Flex: An On-Demand Service

With The RIDE Flex, you can instantly book trips with Uber and Lyft—there's no need to schedule in advance. Eligible RIDE customers can take Flex trips with MBTA partners Uber and Lyft. More providers will be available in the future.

Features of this new pilot program include:

• Same-day bookings with a smartphone app or over the phone
• Trip prices as low as $3 (see pricing details below)
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
• TRAC-scheduled trips from your Flex provider of choice, which may help avoid unexpected delays
• Curb-to-curb service (door-to-door service may not be available)*

*While the RIDE Flex does not offer traditional ADA paratransit-level service, customers may ask drivers for assistance getting into and out of the vehicle.MBTA can’t guarantee that drivers will be able to provide this service.

Sign up Now for On-Demand Service to Wherever You Go

It’s as easy as answering a few quick questions. Be prepared with your RIDE ID number, contact information, and your choice of provider. Within three to five days, you’ll get an email with next steps to complete registration.

Please note: Previous participants in The RIDE on-demand paratransit program must re-enroll to participate in the new program.

How to Use The RIDE Flex

With The RIDE Flex you can schedule on-demand trips directly with pilot partners Uber and Lyft. Trips scheduled through TRAC may also be provided by your chosen pilot partner, based on availability.

Once you sign up with a provider, you’ll be able to request a vehicle at any time either by entering your trip details into your smartphone app or by calling your provider’s Flex customer call center. More detailed instructions can be found on Uber and Lyft’s websites.

The rest is up to you. Just as with The RIDE, you can take trips anywhere in the service area. You may choose to use The RIDE Flex for some or all of your trips—whatever works best for you. Some customers use the maximum number of trips on The RIDE Flex and take the rest of their trips for the month on The RIDE. Others use The RIDE to get to appointments and then order a trip on The RIDE Flex when they’re ready to go home.

When booking a trip through TRAC, The RIDE will be able to send either a vehicle from your Flex provider (Uber or Lyft) or a RIDE vehicle. TRAC’s software will determine the most efficient vehicle option based on the time and route of the trip. This option will let The RIDE get vehicles to customers faster, avoid delays, and potentially provide more direct trips.

For RIDE Flex trips, you'll still reserve, pay for, and be reminded about trips just as you would for regular RIDE service—the only difference is the vehicle operator. On the day of your trip, we'll let you know whether your ride will be with your chosen Flex provider.

Sign up for on-demand service today

Join the thousands of RIDE customers who have enjoyed the freedom of on-demand pilot trips.

Monthly Trip Allocations

Your monthly allocation of subsidized trips on The RIDE Flex is based on your past RIDE usage. For example, you may be allocated 10 trips per month, so you can take 10 subsidized trips in January. In February, you’ll get a new allocation of 10 trips. Allocations do not roll over.

If you are new to The RIDE or only take occasional trips, you’ll start with two trips per month. The MBTA will review trip allocations every six months and notify you if yours increases.

Once you use your month's allocated trips, you can still use your chosen provider, but the cost will not be subsidized.

The RIDE Flex Prices

For on-demand trips:

There is a $3 base co-pay for each trip. The MBTA subsidizes up to $40 for each trip, and you pay any remaining cost over $43.

For example:

• For a $10 trip, you pay the $3 co-pay and the MBTA pays the rest.
• For a $40 trip, you pay the $3 co-pay and the MBTA pays the rest.
• For a $50 trip, you pay the $3 co-pay and the $7 above the $43 limit—the MBTA pays $40.

For TRAC-scheduled trips with Flex providers: 

You will be charged the regular RIDE fare and pay with your RIDE account.

Please note that:

• Prices are determined by the ridesharing company and may be subject to dynamic pricing or prime-time pricing.
• You cannot use RIDE account funds to pay for on-demand trips. Instead, you must create an account with your selected provider. Both Uber and Lyft accept debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, PayPal, and their own gift cards.
• Driver tips are not covered by the subsidy.
• If you have an issue with payment, contact your selected provider directly.

The RIDE Flex Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t have a smartphone, you can call Uber or Lyft to book rides. After you’ve been approved, instructions on how to set up your account and call to book rides will be provided.

If you’re already a RIDE user, you can sign up for The RIDE Flex if:

• Your RIDE account is in good standing
• You are not currently suspended
• Your RIDE eligibility has not lapsed and is not set to expire within the next month

Your participation in The RIDE Flex has no impact on your RIDE eligibility. You can participate in The RIDE Flex and also use The RIDE paratransit services.

Once you have completed the sign-up process, your monthly trips will activate automatically each month.

For issues with on-demand trips:

Reach out to your provider in your app or on its website.

• Uber
• Lyft

For trips that were booked through TRAC but dispatched to a transportation network company (TNC) provider:

Contact MBTA Customer Support on our website or via phone at 617-222-3200.

For general questions and concerns regarding accessibility or eligibility:

Contact MBTA Customer Support on our website or via phone at 617-222-3200.

For issues with vehicle access:

The MBTA is committed to full and lawful access for passengers participating in The RIDE Flex, including those requiring the use of service animals. If you have a problem accessing a vehicle—particularly if you were denied service or otherwise believe you were discriminated against—please immediately contact the on-demand provider via in-app message, and notify the MBTA at .

Hear from a RIDE Flex customer

Paula
Brighton, MA
RIDE customer for 25 years

Since signing up for the pilot, Paula feels like her world has expanded. She can run errands on a moment’s notice, she visits friends more, and she can be flexible with appointment changes.

She says, “It has bettered my life. It has given me the chance to get out and do things I couldn’t before.”

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