Uber Route Share: What It Is & How to Save Up to 50% on Daily Commutes

Uber was founded in Paris. Talk about exciting! In 2008, when Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp found it difficult to find a cab in Paris, they came up with a smartphone app that could easily book rides.

Since then, Uber has become the go-to app for ride-booking. 3.3 billion trips were completed in the second quarter of 2025. The app has always been customer-centric and technology-first, which explains its recent feature. Uber Route Share was launched as an affordable way to commute to work. Want to know more about it? Let’s get into it.

What is Uber Route Share?

Uber announced Uber Route Share at its annual Go-Get event on May 14th, 2025. It is an initiative by Uber to make rides for everyday commuters more budget-friendly.

What does Uber Route Share do?

Uber Route Share is a new shared rides service that operates on fixed routes and has designated pick-up and drop-off locations. 2-3 people can share a ride with Route Share, and they have to walk to the common pickup and drop-off locations. It is suitable for people who commute to work every day on the same route.

Here are a few details you need to know about Route Share

• You can book one seat per trip up to seven days in advance via the Uber app.
• Fixed prices based on the route, payable only through the Uber app. Please note that cash payments are not accepted.
• You will only be allowed to onboard if you have a prior reservation.

“The best thing about Uber Route Share is that it combines the convenience of ride-sharing with the familiarity of public transit routes.

How to Use Uber Route Share?

Booking a Route Share is as easy as booking any other ride on the app. Follow the steps below to schedule your Route Share ride.

• Open the Uber app.
• Enter your destination and then select the "Route Share option.
• You will now see the fare and pickup timing; review it all and tap on "Request.
• Now you get the information about your trip, like the driver’s details and pickup spot.
• When the time is right, walk to your pickup spot and enjoy your ride.

NOTE: The driver will only drop you at the confirmed location in your original booking and will only wait 2 minutes at your pickup spot.

How Uber Route Share Saves 50% on Daily Commutes

Uber claims that the Route Share option saves 50% on daily commutes as compared to UberX. But how is that possible? This significant change is achieved by Uber by implementing 3 actions:

• Route share operates along fixed routes, 5 days a week, with scheduled pickups and drop-offs.
• Multiple passengers share a ride, sharing the cost.
• Fixed pickups and drop-offs ensure there are minimal detours.

When 2-3 passengers share a ride, the cost drops. Uber shared an example explaining the effectiveness of Route Share. It said a trip from Manhattan's Upper West Side to the Lower East Side on UberX costs around $38, but the same trip with the new Route Share option would be approximately $19. That means a 50% savings on the ride.

Route Share is a compelling option for commuters who want the convenience and comfort of Uber but at a price point closer to public transit.

More Ways to Save on Uber

Route Share is one of the many ways in which you can save on your Uber rides. Here are more ways you can save on Uber:

Compare prices with other apps

If the cost of the ride on Uber is too much, you can try other apps. There are other ride-booking apps like Lyft, Wingz, inDrive, and Curb, you can use to book your rides. Enter the pickup and drop-off locations on the apps, and compare the price with Uber. This way you can get the best deal on your rides. Do you want to save more on Uber and Lyft? Check our blog here to learn more.

Become an Uber One member

You can become a member of Uber One and save on Uber Eats and Uber. Uber One costs just $9.99/month, but it saves all the additional costs. It offers benefits like 6% back on rides, cancellation anytime without additional fees, and member-only offers.

Try other ride options

Route Share is one of the many ride options of Uber. You can also use UberX Share, Uber Pool, Share, and other options. With UberX Share, you split your ride with another passenger headed in a similar direction, reducing your fare by up to 20% compared to a regular UberX ride. On the other hand, Uber Pool is the original shared ride option, allowing multiple riders to share a single vehicle along overlapping routes. The only difference between them is that UberX Share has fewer detours (no more than 8 minutes), and Uber Pool is a bit more flexible. Please note that these features may not be available in your location.

Look for Uber coupons and discounts

Uber offers a lot of coupons to its users, but sometimes it may be hard to find them. You can look for Uber coupons in

• The Uber app, under the "Promotions section in the "Wallets or "Payment tab.
• Sign up for their newsletter to get updates on the latest Uber promo codes.
• Follow their social media pages and get to know about the recent sales/offers.
• You can also browse coupon websites like GrabOn and find active Uber coupon codes that you can use to save more on your rides.

If you are someone who commutes to work daily, then these tips may save you some money. Do your research and find deals you can use. If that seems like too much work, use GrabOn to find ongoing deals on cab services.

Wrapping up

While some critics have mocked Route Share as simply “reinventing the bus, its integration with the Uber app has given a modern twist to traditional transit. Despite the skepticism, Route Share directly addresses the growing need for affordable, reliable commuting options in cities where public transit faces funding and service challenges. It is a sensible solution for cost-conscious commuters who want convenience and comfort for cheap. Route Share can help more people get to work without worrying about their wallets.

FAQs

Is Uber Route Share real?

Yes, Uber Route Share is real. It is a new service that was announced by Uber in May 2025 that allows you to pre-book your ride for a fixed route with pickup and drop-off points.

What is the difference between UberX Share and Route Share?

UberX Share is the standard carpooling option offered by Uber, whereas Route Share is a more budget-friendly option that only works along the busy corridors of the city during peak hours (6-10 AM and 4-8 PM).

What is Uber Black?

Uber Black is the premium ride-booking service provided by Uber, wherein you can book luxury vehicles according to your needs.

What is the 5-minute rule for Uber?

The 5-minute rule of Uber pertains to the driver waiting. For various services, there are different wait times. For example, for Economy types (UberX, UberXL, Uber Pet, and Assist) a wait time of 5 minutes is provided. But for premium ride types like Uber Black and SUV, a wait time of 15 minutes is provided. For comfort, a wait time of 10 minutes is provided, and for shared rides, a wait time of 2 minutes is provided. Please note that for Uber Route Share, the wait time is 2 minutes. The driver will cancel or leave after 2 minutes.

Does Uber charge if a driver cancels?

A rider will be charged a cancellation fee if the driver has been waiting for a specific period at a pickup location. But you won't be charged if the driver is currently completing another trip, the driver is not moving towards the pickup location, or if the driver is late. You can always dispute a charge on the Uber app and resolve the issue.