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New Jersey Uber drivers with high ratings and low cancellations can earn a host of perks, including free online college courses and gas discounts as part of a program announced Thursday.
Under the Uber Pro pilot, drivers collect points to place into partner, gold, platinum and diamond categories. Each category can unlock different benefits for drivers, who act as independent contractors and are not company employees.
“To unlock rewards, drivers need to maintain at least a 4.85 star rating and a low cancellation rate,” according to the company’s announcement. “Drivers earn points on every trip during fixed 3-month periods, and the points they earn in one period go toward unlocking status (and more rewards) in the next.”
Drivers in the top categories — platinum and diamond — can receive tuition covered for online courses at Arizona State University. The tuition benefit can also be passed to some family members.
BREAKING: @Uber and @ASU partner to offer fully funded online education opportunities to eligible drivers https://t.co/StmjOoS1z1 pic.twitter.com/VzjlncnEAO
— Arizona State University (@ASU) November 1, 2018
“We are proud to partner with ASU to connect drivers and their families to high-quality educational opportunities that help them get ahead, in life and on the road,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.
Drivers with top marks will also receive a 3 or 6 percent pay boost, according to a benefits chart posted by tech news site The Verge. Other perks include priority pickups at airports and discounts on gas.
For now, the program is available statewide in New Jersey, along with Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa.
Uber has faced criticism of mistreating drivers and offering meager wages. The company, which is reportedly planning to go public next year, has also struggled to retain drivers.
More than 60 percent of drivers are inactive on the ride-sharing app six months after joining, CNN Business reported, citing July research from Uber and Stanford University.
“Drivers have also told us they take tremendous pride in the work they do and the service they provide, because they know that in many ways their riders[?] and families[?] are depending on them,” Uber said in an announcement. “But we’ve also heard that they would like to be recognized for their commitment to quality service[?] and to Uber[?] by helping them build toward the future.”
More details on the program, requirements and benefits are available on the Uber Pro website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Noah Cohen may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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