Uber offers ‘Quiet Mode’ option for passengers to discourage chatty drivers

Premium units of US ride-hailing company Uber are now offering a new service that allows their high-end clientele to ask for minimal conversation during the journey.

The “Quiet Mode” feature, available on Uber Black and Uber Black SUV from this Wednesday, allows passengers to choose between “quiet preferred,”“happy to chat,” or leave the setting at “no preference.”

The company believes the new option will attract more passengers to its premium car services, providing the customers with the opportunity of having a nap or making a call, to work or simply relax during the journey. The new feature is reportedly the first upgrade for Uber’s upmarket services in several years.

“We’re looking to create more differentiation between the premium products and the regular products to encourage more trips,” Uber product manager Aydin Ghajar told US online publisher TechCrunch, stressing that Quiet Mode is “something that people have been asking for a long time.”

Apart from Quiet Mode, the ride-sharing giant offers a so-called “Bag” option, allowing clients to signal if they need a driver to help them with their luggage. The latest upgrade also lets riders communicate their preferred temperature to the driver via the Temperature Control option.

Users of the company’s premium services can now also request extra time before getting into the car without paying late pickup fees, as well as being able to talk directly to customer service if something goes wrong during the ride.

The average price for a ride by Uber Black or Uber Black SUV is typically double that of Uber X, and three times more expensive than Uber Pool. Commercial registration and insurance are obligatory for drivers of these premium services.

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