Uber has unveiled a new phone-free way to book rides, aimed at international travellers arriving without a local data plan or those who simply don’t want to rely on a smartphone. According to Uber’s official newsroom announcement, the company has launched its first Uber ride-booking kiosk at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal C in New York, allowing passengers to request a trip without using the Uber app or mobile data.
Travellers can walk up to the kiosk, enter their destination, choose a ride type, and confirm the booking. The machine then prints a paper receipt containing trip details, designed to make the process as simple and accessible as possible. Uber says further kiosks are planned for hotels, ports, and international airports in the coming months.
DM News Commentary
While this rollout is currently limited to the US, the concept will be watched closely by the UK taxi and private hire trade.
For international visitors, especially those landing without roaming data or eSIMs, this removes one of the biggest barriers to app-based private hire. From a passenger’s point of view, it makes Uber feel closer to a traditional taxi rank experience — walk up, book instantly, get a receipt.
For now, it’s a US-only pilot — but it’s another clear signal that Uber continues to blur the line between app-based private hire and traditional street-hire style access, particularly in high-footfall transport hubs.
As previously reported by DM News, Uber has already been awarded a multi-million-pound private hire concession at Manchester Airport, securing a prominent on-site presence within one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs.
Thanks for visiting DM News!
If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
