Colleges, bars top Worcester's Uber destinations

Courtesy Holy Cross The College of the Holy Cross is the top requested location for Uber rides in Worcester.

Courtesy Uber Cathy Zhou, Uber's New England expansion general manager, said the app has been well received outside of major metropolitan areas.

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By Sam Bonacci

As Uber continues its Central Massachusetts expansion, it has released the most requested locations in Worcester, with the city’s colleges and bars rounding out the list.

According to Uber, anonymous trip data has revealed that the College of the Holy Cross is the most requested point in the city, followed by the Compass Tavern and Worcester State University. Leitrims Pub, Assumption College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mahoney’s Pub and the Perfect Game bar round out the city’s top Uber requests. According to Uber, it is not surprising to find bars and schools rounding out the top destinations in a college city such as Worcester.

“The college population is a big demographic for us. And they are using it to get around safely,” said Cathy Zhou, Uber's New England expansion general manager.

In talking with Zhou, she emphasized the company’s focus on growth in the region, reporting a tripling in business in the last year alone, although she declined to provide specific numbers for the privately held company. The service first became available in the area in October 2014 as Uber set its sites outside of major metropolitan areas.

“We have seen there is an increased demand for more transportation options in smaller cities and towns,” Zhou said.

The company’s growth model involves ensuring that both riders and drivers are cultivated, with an increase in one supporting growth in the other, she said. As there are more riders there are more opportunities for drivers, who in turn provide quicker service -- down to an ETA of six minutes or less in Worcester -- and drive more riders.

Zhou highlighted the positive impact that driving can have for those looking for additional income, especially in areas where they may be limited employment opportunities. When pressed about issues that have been raised about pay for those drivers, she said that driving for the company is a flexible way to make money and changes to the system are done with drivers in mind as well as passengers, with more passengers leading to more money for drivers.

“Drivers have a choice, and I think they are voting with their feet,” Zhou said.