Uber launches ‘over the phone’ service in a bid to appeal to senior Aussies

Uber has revealed plans to launch a phone-booking ride service in what its top Australian executive admits is “a bit of a back-to-the-future moment”.

The tech giant will launch its ride hotline on Tuesday in a bid to appeal to Australians over 65 who do not use ride-sharing services and prefer to book transport over the phone.

Uber’s new service will come less than a year after the company launched a similar scheme in the United States, and has been welcomed by a seniors advocacy group, which said not everyone “is able or comfortable using apps”.

Uber Australia and New Zealand managing director Dom Taylor said the company identified some older Australians were not using the service because they were not confident in navigating its app.