Uber ignored older users for too long—until now
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Some older Australians still rely on family or taxis to get around—but that may be changing soon.
New app updates could finally make ride-share services feel less intimidating for seniors.
And Australia is among the first countries in the world to test them.
Uber has announced a new set of features designed specifically for people aged 65 and older, with the aim of making it easier and safer for seniors to use the platform.
The update included two additions: a simplified ‘simple mode’ for independent older riders and new ‘senior accounts’ that allowed family members to assist remotely with transport bookings.
The updates arrived one month after a US rollout and came in response to new research showing that 36 per cent of Australian seniors found arranging transport challenging.
Emma Foley, Uber’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, said the changes were aimed at users who owned smartphones but found new technology overwhelming.
‘Many older Australians have a smartphone these days, but figuring out how to use something new for the first time can still be a challenge,’ she shared.
‘Simple mode is for independent seniors who are happy to be out on their own but want to have a simpler way to book a ride.’
Once enabled, simple mode displayed fewer icons, larger text, and allowed riders to save commonly visited destinations—features intended to reduce friction and increase confidence for older users.
Senior accounts, meanwhile, gave loved ones the ability to book and pay for trips, track journeys in real time, and even contact drivers directly on behalf of their elderly family members.
‘The classic use case for this might be someone who is caring for their elderly mum and can’t be there to take them to a doctor’s appointment but wants to book a ride for them, track that trip, call the driver directly… and make it really simple to keep an eye on their loved one,’ Ms Foley said.
The announcement followed a separate feature called Caregiver, launched in Australia in 2024, which also enabled people to book rides on behalf of others.
Another rollout, Teen mode, was expected to reach New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory in the coming months.
According to Roy Morgan research, Uber had gained ground over taxis in Australia—with 7.4 million users in March 2025, compared to 4.2 million taxi passengers.
However, that trend was less pronounced among seniors.
Only 1.05 million Baby Boomers reportedly used Uber during that period, while 1.02 million still used taxis.
For the Interwar generation—those born before 1946—taxis remained the preferred option.
Uber appeared hopeful these new changes would close that gap and help older Australians feel more confident using modern transport solutions.
Tech updates can make everyday tasks feel smoother—but they don’t always go off without a hitch.
Even the most well-intentioned features can hit unexpected snags that leave users frustrated or stranded.
If you're relying on a ride-share app for important trips, this is one glitch you’ll want to know about.
Read more: Could this Uber glitch leave you stranded? What every Aussie needs to know before their next ride
Could this be the update that finally brings ride-sharing into the comfort zone of older Australians?
New app updates could finally make ride-share services feel less intimidating for seniors.
And Australia is among the first countries in the world to test them.
Uber has announced a new set of features designed specifically for people aged 65 and older, with the aim of making it easier and safer for seniors to use the platform.
The update included two additions: a simplified ‘simple mode’ for independent older riders and new ‘senior accounts’ that allowed family members to assist remotely with transport bookings.
The updates arrived one month after a US rollout and came in response to new research showing that 36 per cent of Australian seniors found arranging transport challenging.
Uber adds senior-friendly features to app. Image source: Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Emma Foley, Uber’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, said the changes were aimed at users who owned smartphones but found new technology overwhelming.
‘Many older Australians have a smartphone these days, but figuring out how to use something new for the first time can still be a challenge,’ she shared.
‘Simple mode is for independent seniors who are happy to be out on their own but want to have a simpler way to book a ride.’
Once enabled, simple mode displayed fewer icons, larger text, and allowed riders to save commonly visited destinations—features intended to reduce friction and increase confidence for older users.
Senior accounts, meanwhile, gave loved ones the ability to book and pay for trips, track journeys in real time, and even contact drivers directly on behalf of their elderly family members.
‘The classic use case for this might be someone who is caring for their elderly mum and can’t be there to take them to a doctor’s appointment but wants to book a ride for them, track that trip, call the driver directly… and make it really simple to keep an eye on their loved one,’ Ms Foley said.
The announcement followed a separate feature called Caregiver, launched in Australia in 2024, which also enabled people to book rides on behalf of others.
Another rollout, Teen mode, was expected to reach New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory in the coming months.
According to Roy Morgan research, Uber had gained ground over taxis in Australia—with 7.4 million users in March 2025, compared to 4.2 million taxi passengers.
However, that trend was less pronounced among seniors.
Only 1.05 million Baby Boomers reportedly used Uber during that period, while 1.02 million still used taxis.
For the Interwar generation—those born before 1946—taxis remained the preferred option.
Uber appeared hopeful these new changes would close that gap and help older Australians feel more confident using modern transport solutions.
Tech updates can make everyday tasks feel smoother—but they don’t always go off without a hitch.
Even the most well-intentioned features can hit unexpected snags that leave users frustrated or stranded.
If you're relying on a ride-share app for important trips, this is one glitch you’ll want to know about.
Read more: Could this Uber glitch leave you stranded? What every Aussie needs to know before their next ride
Could this be the update that finally brings ride-sharing into the comfort zone of older Australians?
