Uber has announced a series of updates to its mobility and delivery services in Mexico, including the integration of Costco memberships and the addition of traditional taxi units, aiming to bolster transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The company will introduce the Uber Taxi feature through a partnership with the MX Taxi organization, expanding the variety of vehicles available within the app. However, this integration faces regulatory hurdles in Mexico City, where the Secretariat of Mobility has noted that such schemes lack a clear resolution under the current legal framework, according to expansion.mx.
In response, the company aims to mitigate transportation pressure during the international tournament. “We are in constant conversation with the authorities. Our goal is to ensure that the more than five million visitors we expect during the World Cup have the widest range of mobility options, and that the hundreds of thousands of taxi drivers in Mexico have more ways to generate income,” the company stated in response to inquiries from expansion.mx.
New Features in Uber Eats and Enhanced Security
On the Uber Eats side, the platform will allow users to purchase Costco memberships directly through the app. It will also launch a group ordering feature, a system that generates a shared link so multiple users can add items from their own devices, with options to set spending limits or process individual payments.
The update also includes the “Go Out to Eat” tool, developed in collaboration with OpenTable, which allows users to check real-time restaurant availability and make reservations without leaving the app. During match days, the company plans to activate specific promotions to capitalize on the surge in consumer spending.
To bolster security, Uber will automatically activate a verification PIN in host cities and high-traffic tourist areas during the World Cup. This measure will be complemented by a personal PIN to simplify trip validation and provide support in multiple languages.
Finally, the platform will introduce Uber Reserve, a service that allows users to schedule rides well in advance. Unlike traditional scheduling functions, this system guarantees vehicle availability during peak demand periods by booking trips with sufficient lead time.
