Ride-hailing company Uber recently rolled out a host of new features and perks in an attempt to appease its drivers.

The new features that have been integrated on Uber's app include faster payment options, fines for riders who make drivers wait too long and even discounts on Uber rides.

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The latest update is part of Uber's strategy to keep its drivers' morale high amid growing negativity from the driver community. Uber is currently facing several class-action lawsuits, protests and unionization demands from its drivers.

Earlier this month, a group of 5,000 drivers in New York filed a lawsuit against Uber accusing the company of stealing wages, as previously reported.

Through the new features, which will be available later this month, Uber intends to place more power in the hands of its drivers.

One of the new features allows Uber drivers to hold an incoming rider request, especially when they are about to get done with their shift. Currently, Uber drivers are required to manually decline a rider request until they finish their trip and drop the customer to his/her destination.

As part for Uber's effort to ease up payment transactions, the company has teamed up with GoBank. Uber drivers who apply for a GoBank Uber debit card can instantly redeem payments for each fare.

In a statement posted on Uber's official blog, the company said, "We've launched a pilot in a few cities to give drivers discounts on Uber rides. Drivers who are part of this pilot get 15 percent off an uberX ride for every 10 trips you complete in a week of 50 percent off an UberBLACK ride for every 20 trips done in a week."

Many analysts believe that the new features and perks rolled out by Uber is part of the company's strategy to ease up the growing tension among its drivers.

TagsUber, Uber Drivers, Uber features, Uber update, Uber new featuers, Uber driver features, Uber perks, Uber driver perks