Uber to start accepting cash within days

Rideshare giant Uber will allow customers to pay cash for their trips in the coming days, bringing the company’s payment options in line with the taxi industry.

The company will roll out the new payment option nationwide from July 16, following successful trials in Launceston, Tasmania and Bunbury, Western Australia.

Under the new system, riders will see upfront pricing before they confirm their trip and will directly pay the driver in cash when they arrive at their destination.

Drivers will also have the option to decline a ride if they prefer card payments.

Uber Australia and New Zealand managing director Emma Foley said the company wanted to ensure they had options that reflected how people live and pay day-to-day.

“We know many Australians still choose to use cash to manage their everyday spending,” Foley said.

“Whether that’s people who feel more comfortable using cash, young people working within a weekly budget, or households looking for more control over their expenses.

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“We also know that for visitors arriving in Australia and navigating a new destination, having the option to pay with cash can make getting around easier.”

If the driver does not have the correct change, Uber will automatically credit the amount direct into a rider’s account as Uber Cash after the trip ends.

If riders do no have enough cash on arrival, a rider can pay the driver with what they have on hand and Uber will ask the rider to repay the balance in the app before they request their next trip.

Riders can switch their payment option mid-journey if they don’t have enough cash on hand or prefer to use a digital payment.

Disputes over fares will be handled via Uber Support on the company’s app.

The company said cash cannot be used on intercity, pool, courier and teens trips.

It is also not available for UberX PIN trips at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and Melbourne International Airport’s T1 and T2 terminals.

Cash can be used for other trips at Sydney and Melbourne that do not require a four-digit PIN.