Uber to open super sleek lounges in 33 malls across U.S.
Uber wants its customers to relax, and not just when they're in cars.
Enter the "Uber Lounge," a new initiative in partnership with Westfield to open physical pick-up and drop-off locations that offer Uber riders and drivers—or anyone really—seating as well as ride assistance in some locations. The development is a grand showing of Uber's branding, an advertisement beyond billboards and digital displays in cities across the U.S.
The new lounges will appear at all 33 of Westfield's shopping centers in the U.S., starting with Century City in Los Angeles and roll out over the next few weeks. Uber described the area as featuring an "ultra-modern design, sleek seating, and other amenities" in a blog post Monday. But viewers can judge for themselves:
Five locations will offer driver assistance via a live, in-person representative referred to as an "Uber ambassador." That person will be able to answer questions and also help onboard any new drivers.
The initiative is one way Uber is trying to win the love of customers and of cities. Earlier this year, Uber faced backlash after it turned off surge pricing during protests of the travel ban. That decision along with the former Uber CEO's initial willingness to join President Trump's advisory council helped launch the #DeleteUber movement. Of course, that wasn't all the bad news that inspired disgust and distrust with the brand.
Uber also faces continues regulatory challenges with individual cities across the world. Last month, Uber lost its license to operate in London.
With a new CEO and others bringing fresh perspectives to Uber, the company is hoping to set itself on a path of cooperation. The company's new brand awareness initiatives and partnerships with city establishments are similar to recent efforts from Lyft, Uber's biggest competitor in the U.S. Lyft created pick-up kiosks in partnership with JetBlue in airports like JFK in New York City. An agreement with Delta and with Amtrak put buttons to order a Lyft in each of their apps.
Kerry Flynn is a business reporter for Mashable covering the tech industry. She previously reported on social media companies, mobile apps and startups for International Business Times. She has also written for The Huffington Post, Forbes and Money magazine. Kerry studied environmental science and economics at Harvard College, where she led The Harvard Crimson's metro news and design teams and played mellophone in the Band. When not listening to startup pitches, she runs half-marathons, plays with puppies and pretends to like craft beer.
