Uber may have caused mixed reactions amongst people when it first launched.
But today, starting and maintaining a career as a driver on the Uber platform isn’t a terrible job.
Most people who drive with Uber can boast of an income surpassing the minimum wage.
One factor that preserves Uber’s relevance is continuous improvement.
Now and then, Uber, through their ride-sharing application, are always on the lookout for ways to improve their product.
If you use the Uber application frequently, you must have heard about products like Uber Eats and Uber Freight.
In a bid to continue to improve their Uber services, the company launched a new product on their app, Uber Flash.
Since Flash is a new Uber product, you may not know much about it.
The first step you can take is to continue reading this guide, as we explain the new Flash feature on your Uber application.
What Is Uber Flash?
The war against Covid-19 is one the whole world is learning to accept.
We are all trying to reduce physical contact as much as possible without affecting business.
For this reason, Uber launched Uber Flash – a service for goods and products delivery with minimal contact.
Uber may be a ride-sharing application, but the new Uber Flash category focuses on delivery of goods and services.
Uber partners with the local taxi drivers to launch the new Uber Flash category.
So when you order the Flash option, you can either get a taxi or an Uber X.
It depends on the closest alternative to your current location.
To use the Flash option on the Uber application, all you need to do is tap on the Flash option.
Flash is another way for Uber to give you various products that are safe when trying to pick a ride or deliver a service.
You can rest assured of the quality of your ride when you choose the Uber Flash option.
All drivers eligible in the Uber Flash category have met the required criteria.
So if you get a taxi when you order the Flash, you have nothing to worry about.
Also, you get the opportunity to rate your rides after your delivery.
If there is any issue, you can reach out to the Uber team for intervention.
On your Uber app, you’ll see the Uber Flash product under the racing option.
Uber Flash allows you to send and receive packages without leaving your house.
It has a lot of similarities with the regular Uber X, but they’re not the same.
Keep reading to learn the difference.
The Difference Between Uber Flash and UberX
Of course, Uber Flash is a relatively new category on the Uber app.
As we have mentioned, if you order an Uber Flash, your delivery can be a taxi or an Uber X.
If, from your experience, your Flash order is an UberX, you may confuse Uber Flash to be the same as Uber X.
UberX is the regular Uber ride where you order a ride, and it takes you to the destination.
UberX can take a standard level of four passengers per trip, with three passengers at the back and one in front.
UberX is an affordable option to get to your destination with maximum comfort.
For most people in countries across the world, UberX is the standard Uber ride.
Uber Flash, on the other hand, has focused on the deliveries of commodities.
The idea behind Uber Flash is to reduce the contact between the seller and buyer during commodity exchange.
UberX is an option of the kind of ride you can get when you choose the Uber flash.
So you see, UberX is the standard uber ride, also available when you select the Uber Flash option.
Where Is Uber Flash Available?
Uber operates in more than 500 cities across over fifty countries.
For some countries, there may be an embargo on some of the available options on Uber.
In other countries, the business model of the platform is illegal.
While Uber Flash is relatively new on the ride-sharing app, it is available in some countries.
It is available in countries like Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.
UberFlash may not operate across all cities in the country yet.
So you can say UberFlash platform is at the testing stage.
For example, in Brazil, Uber Flash started in only five cities; Salvador, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, and Belo Horizonte.
However, the Flash service has continued to expand to other cities in Brazil.
How Much Does Uber Flash Cost?
Yes, Uber has many categories with different cost implications.
However, for the Uber Flash category, you don’t need to break the bank to pay.
The cost of UberFlash is the same as the cost of a regular UberX.
Whether your Uber Flash is a taxi or an UberX, the charge for the service is the same as the Uber charge.
So depending on some factors like traffic, drivers supply surge, amidst others, you can calculate the fare.
If you’re in a country like Hong Kong, you will get an upfront fare on the ride.
How Uber Flash Trip Fares are Calculated
To calculate the fare of your Uber Flash trip, you can use the Uber Estimate tool.
The price may change based on the following factors:
- Base fare, which is the same fare for UberX.
- The cost per minute and mile, dependent on the time and distance covered.
- Surge price, which depends on the supply and demand of commuters and riders.
Example Uber Flash Trip Fare
For example, let’s assume you want to make a delivery to a customer in another city.
You can go to the Uber app, choose the destination of the commodity and choose the Flash option.
Uber matches you with the closest driver(either UberX or taxi partner) available, and you make your trip.
Immediately the journey ends, the cost comes on your credit card to pay quickly and conveniently.
How to Order an Uber Flash
Ordering an UberFlash is simple.
It’s a process you can complete in seven easy steps.
Let’s go.
- Download and open the Uber application.
- You’ll see a “Where to?” icon so that you can enter your destination.
- You have options to choose the Uber service you want to use to get to the destination. You have to select and confirm Flash in this category.
- A message will pop up, informing you about the matching with either a taxi or an UberX and asking you to confirm.
- You have to confirm to finish requesting your ride.
- If your rider is a taxi partner, you’ll receive an email of the trip recorded.
- Once the trip ends, your credit card bears the cost. You can rate the driver after you have confirmed your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Uber Flash?
Check out some of the most commonly-asked questions about this service below.
Is Uber Flash legal in Hong Kong?
Uber in Hong Kong has experienced inconsistent law-related embargos.
Sometimes, the police may decide to detain Uber drivers because they don’t have a hire-car permit.
The government even has a fine for the offense.
However, when Uber Flash launched in Hong Kong, they recorded more than two million trips in nine months.
The taxi-partner model of Uber Flash works excellently in Hong Kong.
Could Uber figure out a way to let drivers flashlight with their phones to show you who they are?
Security is vital even when you’re looking for comfort.
Like it or not, taking an Uber taxi is similar to entering a stranger’s car.
You can check and confirm the uber plate number and car color.
Or you can nicely request the uber driver to flash a light on their faces.
While Uber can mandate the option of light flashing, they may not make that move until it is extremely important.
When Is Uber Flash coming to the United States?
Uber Flash is in many Latin-American countries like Brazil and Colombia, but there’s no set-date for it to come to the United States.
Final Words
Reducing contact while delivering goods to customers is a healthy decision in a world troubled by covid-19.
That’s one reason why Uber Flash is an amazing category thought out by the Uber team.
Uber Flash brings opportunities for commodity delivery without making the taxis feel left out.
