Uber customers can now order deliveries over the phone, instead of through its app.
With the objective of expanding its service to older Americans, Uber Technologies Inc has announced that customers in New York City and the Miami area could now order restaurant meal deliveries over the phone through a toll-free number, instead of through its app, according to Reuters reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler.
The company’s phone-based ordering service is open 7 days a week, from 7am through 8pm EST. The push to add phone ordering instead of through the company’s app or UberEats.com website is part of Uber’s goal to expand its service to older Americans. Users can dial 1-833-USE-Uber toll-free and talk to an agent to discuss menu options, receive upfront pricing information and complete payment. Uber plans to expand the service to more cities nationwide in the coming weeks. According to the company’s blog post announcing the service, food orders can be left at the door in addition to meeting in person at the door or outside to make a handoff.
The announcement comes at a time when roughly 90% of the U.S. population is under orders to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Many Americans now rely on front-line workers delivering groceries, food and household items to their doorstep. Prior to the U.S. coronavirus outbreak, Uber earlier this year launched a phone-booking service for its ride-hailing business in Arizona and Florida. Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi on March 19 said the company had plenty of cash on hand to tide during it over the coronavirus crisis.
