Uber have introduced new guidelines that allow the company to temporarily ban users from using their service if a passenger or driver have a rating lower than four stars. The new system is being introduced to improve the safety and overall experience of passengers and drivers. 
 
Passenger and driver ratings are calculated by averaging all ratings (from 1-5 stars) that a user has received, with the total number of trips taken. Drivers must rate passengers after every trip, but for passengers rating their driver is optional.
 
Low ratings are generally caused by bad behaviour. Giving incorrect pickup locations, slamming car doors, rudeness, and leaving rubbish behind are all common reasons for poor ratings at the conclusion of a trip. Vomiting in the vehicle after a loose night out is also not advised, and will earn you a $50 cleaning fee.
 
Users will receive up to three emails about their impending ban, which then kicks in if their score dips below four stars. The account deactivation also affects UberEats.
uber rating system
When their score is close to four stars, passengers will receive reminders from the app on how to behave appropriately.

Susan Anderson, Uber General Manager ANZ, told news.com.au that nine-out-of-ten Aussie Uber users have a rating of 4.5 or higher, meaning the new changes will only affect a very small minority of people.

She said the new system has been introduced because stressed out drivers have revealed a number of things which annoy them in multiple surveys. “Drivers have reported a number of common incidents to us, for example when riders asked to be picked up in an unsafe location (such as a no-stopping zone in a CBD), it makes their jobs very stressful.”

Redemption is possible

Although miscreant users are ‘banned’ from the service, according to the Uber website users can earn back their usage of the app.

“Your account may be reactivated after you satisfy Uber of the steps you’ve taken to improve: for example, if you’re a driver by taking a third-party quality improvement course or if you’re a rider, by completing a short educational exercise. If your account is reactivated, you will need to maintain the minimum average rating for the city.”

So, does your Uber rating reflect your own values?

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