For years, the narrative seemed set: cash was on its way out. The rise of credit cards, mobile wallets, and even cryptocurrencies painted a picture of a future where paper bills and jingling coins would be relics of the past. Yet, in a twist that few would have predicted, Uber—the very company that once prided itself on a cashless, tip-free experience—has begun rolling out a cash payment pilot program in several major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
On September 6, 2025, Uber expanded its cash payment pilot to San Francisco, a move that followed initial tests launched in May across select U.S. cities. According to The Standard, San Francisco riders this week discovered a new payment option in their Uber app: the ability to pay for rides—and tips—with cash. This shift is more than a simple payment tweak; it signals a larger recognition that, despite decades of predictions, a fully cashless society remains out of reach.
Cash use in the United States has certainly declined over the years. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice, cash accounted for roughly 14% of all transactions in 2024. That’s a far cry from the heyday of cash in the mid-20th century, but it’s by no means insignificant. The Atlanta Federal Reserve found in 2024 that four out of five Americans used cash at least once a month, and 80% kept some cash in their pockets. In other words, while digital payments are now the norm for many, a substantial portion of the population still relies on physical money—and not just for nostalgia’s sake.
Why the stubborn loyalty to cash? Demographics play a major role. Older adults, particularly those aged 55 and up, are more likely to use cash, as are people from lower-income households. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has also found that minority groups and men are more inclined to reach for bills and coins. For these groups, cash isn’t just a preference; it’s often a necessity. Academics and elected officials have long warned that a cash-free economy could disadvantage certain communities, cutting off access to essential goods and services for those without bank accounts or credit cards.
Profession matters, too. Workers who rely on tips—servers, bartenders, and others—often prefer cash, especially in areas where banks are scarce. Even children, with their piggy banks and tooth fairy spoils, remain steadfast cash users. Uber’s cash pilot, now available in cities like San Francisco, Dallas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, and San Diego, seems to be aimed squarely at these groups.
So, how does Uber’s cash payment program actually work? The company has put a series of checks and balances in place. Only verified passengers—those whose identities have been vetted through government-issued IDs or documentation—are eligible for the cash option. On the driver side, only those with a track record of good feedback can participate. When a rider requests a trip and selects cash as the payment method, the assigned driver is notified and can decide whether to accept the request. Importantly, drivers can opt out of accepting cash payments altogether, and the option is unavailable late at night, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
If a passenger doesn’t have enough cash to cover the fare, they must pay the remainder through the app. Conversely, if a driver doesn’t have enough change, the passenger receives UberCash credit for use on future rides. Once the cash option is selected, riders are locked in—they can’t change their destination or add stops mid-ride. Uber says the pilot is intended “to make rides more accessible while giving drivers even more ways to earn.” As the company noted in a statement, “We believe transportation should open doors for everyone. Yet the truth is, not everyone has access to a bank account or credit card—and some riders simply prefer paying with cash.”
But not everyone is thrilled with the new system. Some drivers have voiced concerns about the practicality and safety of handling cash. Jose, an Uber driver in Los Angeles, told NBC Los Angeles that he finds the idea unrealistic: “It’s going to take me more time in places where I need to stop. Let’s say there’s a lot of traffic, and there are places where I’m not supposed to stop. I can only just drop off people, and then that’s going to take me more time.” Jose, for one, plans to opt out of the program, saying, “If [passengers] are going to pay cash, good luck with that because I’m not going to do it.”
Uber has responded by issuing safety recommendations for drivers, such as keeping cash out of sight and avoiding carrying large amounts at once. The company’s approach is clearly cautious, aiming to balance accessibility for riders with practical concerns for drivers.
In practice, the system is still working out its kinks. A test ride conducted by The Standard in San Francisco on September 5, 2025, highlighted some of the challenges. The rider paid a $13 fare with a $20 bill, but the driver, Henry, didn’t have change. Uber issued a $7 credit to the passenger for future rides, and a $3 cash tip was handed over separately. Initially enthusiastic about the prospect of “money in your hand,” Henry found the process cumbersome by the end of his first cash ride, particularly for small fares. He admitted he was unlikely to repeat the experience unless the system became smoother.
There’s a certain irony here. Uber’s original promise was to eliminate the friction of cash transactions—no more scrambling for change or tipping confusion at the end of a ride. Now, in a bid to remain competitive and accessible, the company is reintroducing the very element it once sought to remove. Meanwhile, competitors like Waymo are pushing in the opposite direction, removing human drivers altogether and, with them, the complications of cash.
Yet, the persistence of cash in American life is a reminder that technology doesn’t always move in straight lines. Predictions that cash would be relegated to “thieves, tax dodgers and paranoiacs” by 2025, as a 1996 New York Times article once quoted, have simply not come true. Instead, cash remains a lifeline for millions, a preference for many, and, for Uber, a new (old) way to stand out in a crowded market.
As the cash pilot unfolds in more cities, Uber’s experiment will serve as a telling case study in the ongoing tug-of-war between digital convenience and analog reliability. For now, at least, it looks like cash isn’t going anywhere—no matter how many apps, cards, or coins we add to our wallets.
