Uber launches 'Uber for Teens' in 37 cities to offer safe rides for 13-to 17-year-olds

American ride-hailing giant Uber has launched a dedicated service called 'Uber for Teens' aimed at providing safe, reliable, and convenient transportation for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.

This new offering is live in 37 cities across India, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata. The company said it created this service to give teens more independence while ensuring parents have peace of mind.

Introducing strict safety measures

'Uber for Teens" operates under strict safety measures, such as GPS tracking, real-time ride monitoring, and an in-app emergency button for riders. Parents receive notifications about the trip on their own Uber app, and they can also see ride summaries once the journey is complete.

With this approach, the company aims to address concerns about teenagers travelling alone, giving parents a clear sense of control and awareness of their child's whereabouts.

Parental oversight and growing demand

Parents or guardians with a verified Uber account can invite their teen to set up an account, which links both profiles. Teens can then book rides on their own while their parents monitor every trip. Guardians also have the option to request rides on behalf of their teens, which will show up in the teen's account. 

Prabhjeet Singh, president of Uber India and South Asia, said the service addresses a crucial need by helping families manage their daily transportation challenges.

"We recognise the unique transportation challenges faced by teenagers and their families in India. With Uber for Teens, we are committed to addressing these challenges by providing a service that parents can trust, and that teens will find easy and cool to use," Singh said.

Uber conducted a survey before the launch to better understand the transportation needs of teenagers and concerns of parents. The findings revealed that 92% of parents had experienced issues arranging reliable transport for their teens, and 72% felt safety was their biggest worry.

Around 93% of parents indicated they would likely use a dedicated ridesharing service for their teenage children, suggesting strong demand for a solution like 'Uber for Teens.'