A new Uber subscription service announced on Tuesday promises to provide discounted and flat rates to riders for a monthly fee, Business Insider reports.
The new option, called Ride Pass, allows users in Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando to avoid surge pricing often associated with bad traffic and adverse weather.
“Ride Pass is designed to take the guesswork out of riding so you can confidently plan your day with Uber without any unwelcome surprises,” a statement from the company said.
Users in Los Angeles will be charged $24.99 per month, while riders in the four other cities will pay $14.99.
The ride-hailing service claims the flat-rate fares, which will be based on historical data, will save its users up to 15 percent a month on travel costs. Riders can hail as many UberX and UberPool vehicles as they’d like while subscribed.
The app is also adding a real-time update system that will alert users to how much they’ve saved on each ride. The service will automatically renew each month unless a rider chooses to cancel their subscription.
Uber says the new feature will not negatively affect drivers, who will still be paid based on distance and time traveled, and the company says it will cover the difference in cost. Uber did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment.
Lyft recently rolled out an an “All Access” subscription pass, which costs $299 per month for 30 rides costing $15 or less. If the cost of a ride goes over $15, the user pays the difference.
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H/T Business Insider