Do you have a habit of calling Uber before you're actually ready to go out? Now, if you keep your driver waiting, you may have to pay extra.
Uber on Wednesday said customers in certain areas will be charged an extra fee if the driver is still waiting two minutes after arriving at the pick-up location. At this point, the app-based car service is testing this new penalty in Dallas, New Jersey, New York, and Phoenix but may roll it out more broadly in the future.
"While we encourage riders to only request a ride when they're ready, we understand that sometimes they are running a little behind," Uber said. "In these cases drivers will be compensated for the extra minutes they need."
The company did not specify how much the late fee will run you. Until now, riders did not incur a fee for making their driver wait.
Uber is also getting stricter about its cancellation policy. Now, if you request a ride in one of the previously mentioned locations but decide you don't need it after all, you'll have two minutes to cancel the trip once you've been matched with a driver. After that, Uber will charge you a "small fee." The company previously offered a five-minute grace period.
"Whether it's lost keys, a change of plans, or a driver further away than anticipated, we know there are times when you need to cancel a trip," Uber wrote. "But it can be a headache for drivers who are already on their way."
In other Uber news, the company recently agreed to pay at least $84 million to settle two class-action lawsuits in California and Massachusetts initiated by drivers. Both cases centered on whether drivers using Uber's app should be classified as independent contractors or employees. As part of the settlement, both sides have agreed that drivers will remain independent contractors, not employees.