The short answer is that Uber has already "brought back" the concept of shared rides, but under a different name: UberX Share. Following the global suspension of "Uber Pool" during the pandemic, the company rebranded and optimized the service to address previous rider complaints. UberX Share allows you to save up to 20% on your fare by sharing your ride with one or two other passengers heading in the same direction. Unlike the old Pool, UberX Share is designed to be more efficient, typically adding no more than 8 minutes to your total trip time. In some cities, Uber has also introduced Route Share for commuters along busy corridors and Scheduled Share for those who want to book in advance. While the "Pool" name is officially retired, the core utility of a budget-friendly, shared transit option is very much a part of Uber's 2026 strategy, focusing on sustainability and reducing the number of empty seats on the road.