New "Express Pool" with Uber
 

So being in San Francisco this weekend I encountered yet another version of Uber "Express Pool". It's basically Uber Pool, except a bit cheaper and requires you to relocate to a certain place for the pickup. In both times I've used it I had to move 3-4 blocks, or about 2 minutes of walk time. My experience has been positive but I wonder about the sustainability of the economics. Both of my rides have been about ~$4 that would have been $12-15 if a normal Uber X.

This seems to be limited to San Fran and Boston as test markets, according to the Uber website.

This is the often the way regular pool operates in NYC. They will direct you to head one or two blocks to the nearest avenue for route optimization.

The difference between Pool and Express is that Pool "suggests" while Express requires. With Pool, you can always move the pickup point back to your immediate location. With Express, you must accept the nearby location. The Express option is a good one if you are mobile and there is decent weather. Often the location is on a corner which better accounts for traffic or at a location where a car can maneuver.

It looks like Uber has a page describing the new service here and it was covered back in Nov. by TechCrunch here.

With Pool in NYC, this definitely isn't the case. You enter your pickup location, and it tells you pickup will be at XYZ location, which might or might not be where you are.

Have had Express Pool in Boston since November. Haven't used it much as weather has been really crappy and would rather not have to go to wait at a nearby spot. But the few times I've used it, I lucked out and haven't had to relocate from my location.