Changes to Uber Eats will focus on delivery issues, information availability

Uber Eats’ apps are getting some much-needed feature improvements, the food delivery firm announced on Friday, focused particularly on delivery issues and information accessibility.

“By the time you place a delivery order, you’re already hungry,” the company writes in a release.

“Minutes can feel like an eternity when your appetite’s involved. So we’ve revamped our tracking technology to share the latest on your order from its confirmation and preparation through the delivery-partner’s route to the restaurant, order pickup and delivery to your door.”

Additionally, Uber Eats also promises that information will be made more easily accessible within the Uber Eats app. It failed to explain exactly what information, or how it will redesign the app to accommodate this change.

More importantly for those who have ever experienced a failed order, issue tracking and remedying is also receiving more attention.

Uber Eats will now explain why orders are delayed or cancelled. Users will also be able to contact the deliverer before they pick up the order. And finally, call and chat support will be introduced.

Notably, according to comment requested from Uber Eats by Memeburn, the company will not yet allow deliverers to contact customers.

“Currently Eaters only contact the delivery-partner either by phone or via in-app messaging when they have collected the food from the restaurant and on their way to deliver,” the company told Memeburn.

Uber Eats added that this update will roll out “in sixteen cities around the world” in the coming weeks. Some may have already received the update.

“In the coming months, we’ll be introducing more ways for you to get help and more delicious delivery options.”

Uber Eats, which made its debut in South Africa in 2016 in Johannesburg, is now available in nine South African cities most recently arriving in Paarl in January 2019, as well as Bloemfontein and Pietermaritzburg this month.

Editor’s note: article updated with comment from Uber Eats South Africa.

Feature image: Uber Eats