New Uber For Business Platform Includes Easier Travel Rules, Program Creation

Ridesharing company Uber recently announced news it has launched a revamp of its Uber for Business platform, including easier rule setting for managers, group-based access levels and custom program creation.

Tech Crunch reported this is the first significant update since the carsharing platform tool’s introduction, and the new features were the result of incorporating a lot of user feedback.

One of the biggest enhancements is that companies can now set corporate travel rules in advance to streamline the process of expensing rides, which also ensures greater compliance. In the past, companies’ HR departments would have to tell employees about specific rules for using Uber for Business offerings through work, then simply hope that employees would follow the policies.

Managers can now create programs that limit elements of corporate travel, like the type of car used, the total amount riders can expense, what time of day Uber can be used and even geographic limits. These rules can all be combined in custom programs, including First and Last Mile programs for commuters, recruiting and client travel programs, employee perks and general travel transport expense programs.

In addition, businesses can assign users to groups depending on their roles, and can use those groups to define eligibility for specific corporate travel programs. If a rider’s travel falls outside of a company’s specified Uber for Business use policy, ridesharing users will be prompted to add their own payment methods so they can complete the journey while still complying with their companies’ rules.

In other news, Uber has also redesigned the manager-facing backend for Uber for Business, including the incorporation of Uber Central directly into the interface. That means approved managers can now manage and assign corporate travel rides for clients, customers, freelancers, recruits and others not directly covered by the existing policies in place.

Last year, Uber for Business lead Max Crowley revealed that “business travel has become one of Uber’s fastest-growing segments.”