Uber Technologies Inc. on Wednesday said customers in New York City and the Miami area could now order restaurant meal deliveries over the phone, instead of through its app, as it aims to expand its service to older Americans.
Users can dial a toll-free number and talk to an agent to discuss menu options, receive upfront pricing information and complete payment. Uber said it planned to expand the service to more cities nationwide in the coming weeks.
The announcement comes at a time when roughly 90 percent of the U.S. population is under orders to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Many Americans now rely on front-line workers delivering groceries, food and household items to their doorstep.
It also comes as demand for Uber’s ride-hailing service, the unit contributing the bulk of the company’s revenue, has ground to a halt in most U.S. cities since the coronavirus outbreak.
Prior to the U.S. coronavirus outbreak, Uber earlier this year launched a phone-booking…