Uber, Lyft riders in for Super Bowl surprises
SAN FRANCISCO — Uber and Lyft riders in town for the Super Bowl might get a surprise ride by a celebrity driver, free Super Bowl tickets or severe gridlock.
While major ride-hailing companies are ramping up their Super Bowl weekend promotions, some Uber drivers claim to be planning protests over recent cuts.
Uber lowered prices in more than 100 U.S. and Canadian cities starting in January to offset the "winter slump," when business slows down, the company stated. Drivers have protested in cities across the country complaining about the impact the cuts have had on their paychecks.
The San Francisco Chroniclereports that protests could include a “strike” or traffic gridlock outside the stadium.
Meanwhile, Lyft and Uber have already started rolling out special surprises for their riders both in San Francisco and across the country.
In addition to offering riders the chance to win Super Bowl tickets, Lyft is sending out undercover drivers like retired San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice and Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant to surprise riders, Lyft spokeswoman Katie Dally says. "I hope my passengers gave me good reviews," Rice jokes. "Even though I did force some of them into impromptu dance sessions.”
Earlier in the week, lucky riders who selected the "QB" icon in the Uber app slider were picked up and taken to play some flag football with Joe Montana and Trent Dilfer. Riders needing a little "cuddle huddle" could order uberPUPPIES for $30 in anticipation of the Puppy Bowl. Uber choose one rider who signed a pledge to not to drink and drive to have dinner with former 49ers player Delanie Walker, who lost his family to a drunk driver after the Super Bowl three years ago in New Orleans, Uber spokeswoman Laura Zapata says.
Throughout the weekend, uberPOOL riders in San Francisco should look out for cars outfitted to play EA SPORTS Madden football game and NFL players like Cameron Jordan, Marvin Jones, Mychal Kendricks and Erick Kendricks delivering uberEATS.
CHICAGO, NEW YORK CITY
Not in the Bay area? You might be in luck. Immediately after the game — if their team wins — Carolina Panthers or Denver Broncos fans in Chicago and New York City will be able to order $28 championship T-shirts through UberRUSH, says Ryan Eckel, vice president of brand marketing at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “It’s hard to be in another city when your hometown team wins big,” Dick’s Sporting Goods wrote on its website.
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Zipcar, a car rental service, renamed some of its vehicles on the West Coast to give a nod to the big game. You can reserve “Soup” — a Nissan Altima or “Bowl” — a Nissan Sentra to get to the game. Fans can pick the car named after their preferred team. The Volkswagen Gold named “Bronco” is available in Los Angeles and MINI Cooper named “Carolina” can get you around Seattle, says spokeswoman Katelyn Chesley.