ROTTERDAM, 3 October 2025 – On Senior Citizens’ Day (Ouderendag), attention turns to the mobility problems faced by older residents and their carers. In Rotterdam, where public transport has become less accessible, Uber has introduced Senior Accounts and a simplified app mode to support independence.
Concerns about public transport
Research by ANBO-PCOB, the national advocacy group for seniors, shows that nearly nine in ten older people worry about the future of public transport. In Rotterdam, these concerns are tangible: bus routes have been reduced, services run less frequently, and transfers are often difficult. For residents with limited mobility, even a short journey to the GP or the local community centre can be a challenge.
Family carers (mantelzorgers in Dutch) often fill the gap, but this requires considerable time and energy. On Senior Citizens’ Day, Rotterdam highlights both the pressures on carers and the need for solutions that help older people remain active and connected.
Uber Senior Accounts
Uber is introducing Senior Accounts, available through family profiles in the app. With this feature, older residents – or their relatives – can book trips and follow journeys in real time. Favourite addresses can be stored for convenience, and a simplified “easy mode” offers a clearer app layout for those who want to book rides independently.
Maurits Schönfeld, Director Northern Europe at Uber, explained: “Senior Accounts and the simplified mode are part of our mission to make Uber useful for the whole family – whether you are 17 or 77. These tools help older adults stay connected while offering peace of mind to relatives.”
Added value for Rotterdam
In a city where traditional transport links are shrinking, Uber Senior is presented as a supplement to public transport rather than a replacement. The service aims to provide flexible journeys at transparent rates, making it easier for older Rotterdammers to access healthcare and social contacts.
By allowing relatives to arrange trips remotely, the service also lightens the load for carers. For neighbourhoods where tram or bus lines have been cut back, it may help prevent older residents from feeling cut off from daily life.
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