Just announced today that Uber will be requiring codes for each ride. Which is great, I couldn’t tell you how many times I had a Taxi Uber start the ride without me and i had to report it. I’m sure they did this because of the scam taxi drivers ruining the app. I never had this problem with a normal Uber driver with his own car.
Uber has announced that users in Medellín will now be required to enter a four-digit PIN code before starting any ride. This security measure, previously optional, has been made mandatory to enhance safety for both passengers and drivers following recent security incidents.
According to Manuela Bedoya, Uber’s Security Communications Manager for the Andean Region, Caribbean, and Central America, the PIN verification feature will now be automatically activated for all trips in the city. Users will receive the code when requesting a ride and must provide it to the driver, who must enter it to start the trip.
The primary goal is to ensure passengers are getting into the correct vehicle while allowing drivers to confirm they’re picking up the right customer. Uber recommends that users verify the driver’s photo and vehicle details before sharing the PIN.
This feature joins over 40 other safety tools Uber offers in Colombia, including:
- RideCheck, which detects unexpected stops or delays
- Trip sharing with up to five trusted contacts
- Direct 123 emergency calls from within the app
- Video recording capability using the phone’s front camera with encrypted storage
The enhanced security measures come in response to increasing violence against ride-sharing drivers in Medellín. Since November 2023, 14 app-based drivers have been murdered in the Aburrá Valley, mostly during vehicle theft incidents. According to transportation associations, there have been more than 70 robbery cases involving these services.
Source: https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin/pico-y-placa-jueves-27-de-marzo-2025-medellin-AJ26943056
Is Uber Legal in Medellin
Uber is perfectly fine to use in Medellin. I was pulled over multiple times in the Uber even riding in the back by police and the police didn’t have a problem with the Uber driver. There’s is a problem if the Uber driver is providing tourism services as they would need to be prosperity registered with the Registry of Tourism. So be careful using Uber for tourism.
Can I take Uber from the Airport.
Yes. You can take Uber from the airport. They can you up on the first Level which is easier for them, and honestly for you too. As the arriving are (second level tends to get really crowded and there’s alot of transit officers on the second level. They love to give anyone a hard time even when I was driving and use to pick up my friends from the airport with my car.
Be Careful with meeting Uber drivers in the parking lot. Some will ask you to meet them in the parking lot. I would be wary of that because they can easily drive out and pick you up.
Why I prefer to use Uber or Ride-Share apps.
- Scam: Taking a Taxi is fine but they love taking advantage of people it could be locals or foreigners I’ve seen it happen both ways. They would take long routes, make believe they got lost, or didn’t under stand you or go to the wrong building. Just to drive up the fair on the meter
- Security: With Uber you know who the person, you can also report the person or contact Uber if you lost an item in the car. Uber will contact the driver to ensure you get your property. However this isn’t always the case. But i heard some successful stories.
- Agreed Price: The price on the app is the price I pay. Even if the Taxi / Uber decides to take the long way. I know i’m still paying $x amount; the only annoying part is my time, but at least i’m not paying double the price if there is traffic, or the driver gets lost.
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