Uber drivers in the UK have noticed a new trip preference appearing in their driver app, listed as ‘Intercity’ alongside familiar options like UberX and UberXL. While Uber has not made a formal announcement, information on Uber’s official website from the USA could shed some light on what this new feature means for drivers, and with the help of Chat GPT crawling the internet, this article is a good guesstimate on what intercity is and how it will affect Uber drivers in the UK.
What Is Uber Intercity?
According to Uber’s official support page, Intercity trips are designed for long-distance journeys between cities, offering passengers an alternative to trains, coaches, or traditional taxis for intercity travel. Unlike standard Uber trips, Intercity journeys are specifically for pre-booked trips that start and end in different cities.
The feature allows drivers to opt-in through their preferences and potentially earn more by completing longer, higher-value trips. Uber suggests that fares will be fixed in advance, providing clarity for both drivers and passengers.
Key Features of Intercity Trips
Based on Uber’s information, here’s how the Intercity feature works:
- Passengers can pre-book trips that start in one city and end in another.
- Fares are fixed at the time of booking, so drivers and riders know the cost upfront.
- Longer distances mean potentially higher earnings per trip compared to short city rides.
- Drivers must opt into Intercity trips through the Uber app preferences.
Uber also states that drivers will receive advance notice of an Intercity request before the trip begins, allowing them to decide whether they want to accept the ride.
How Does This Compare to Standard Uber Rides?
Unlike regular UberX trips, where a driver could pick up a passenger for a short 5-10 minute journey, Intercity trips will be significantly longer, possibly lasting an hour or more depending on the cities involved.
This could be appealing to drivers who prefer fewer but higher-paying trips, though a major concern is dead mileage—returning to the original city without a return fare, which could eat into earnings but Uber states that If you take an Uber Intercity trip from your home city to another city, then you’ll be prioritized to receive a return trip request back to your home city.
Driver Reactions: Opportunity or Risk?
Some UK Uber drivers see Intercity as a welcome opportunity to earn more money on fewer, longer trips. Others worry about waiting times for a return fare, as the service does not guarantee a trip back to the original city.
If Uber expands the service further and allows return fares or greater flexibility, it could become a serious alternative to train and coach travel—especially with rising rail prices and limited public transport options in some areas.
Will Passengers Start Seeing ‘Intercity’ in Their Uber Apps?
While Intercity has started appearing for drivers, it’s unclear when passengers will see the option in their booking screen. Uber may be rolling it out gradually, testing demand before a full public launch.
For now, drivers interested in long-distance work can enable Intercity in their app and decide whether it suits their driving style and earnings strategy.
Would You Book an Uber for an Intercity Trip?
With fixed fares and pre-booking, Uber could challenge traditional train, coach, and even airport transfer services with this new feature. Whether it proves popular will depend on pricing, convenience, and driver availability.
🚗 Would you take an Uber on a long-distance trip instead of the train or a coach? Let us know your thoughts!
