Uber Launches Cheaper Commute Options; Self-Driving Rides Coming In 2026

SAN FRANCISCO — Uber this week announced plans for several efforts to cut prices for riders and automate the rideshare process.

The San Francisco-based company on Wednesday began rolling out Route Share, which is up to 50 percent cheaper than UberX, in the Bay Area as well as in New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Dallas and Boston. The service offers pickups every 20 minutes along busy corridors during weekday commute hours with up to two other riders.

Uber also Wednesday in many U.S. cities and Brazil launched Price Lock Pass, which allows riders to lock in a price for a specific route at $2.99 per month and save up to $50 monthly.

“It’s the easiest way to avoid higher fares due to weather, traffic, or construction,” according to a company news release. “Each pass protects your fare on a selected route for a one-hour window, and you can purchase passes for up to 10 routes every month.”

Uber will also offer Prepaid Pass, allowing riders to pay upfront for five, 10, 15 or 20 rides on their regular routes at a deeper discount.

Additionally, self-driving Uber rides are coming to Los Angeles in early 2026, according to the company, which is partnering with Volkswagen to launch the fully electric and fully autonomous option.

“We believe autonomous technology will drive a safer and more affordable future for everyone, and we can’t wait to expand access to it around the world,” the news release said.