Uber’s London headquarters has ordered a comprehensive audit of driver safety protocols after the company’s annual lost property report catalogued an extraordinary range of items left in vehicles, including bras, expressed breast milk, and live butterflies. The inventory, released to mark the start of the summer holiday season, highlights the unpredictable nature of ride-hailing services and raises questions about passenger behaviour and driver wellbeing.
According to Uber’s data, the most commonly forgotten items remain smartphones, wallets, and keys. But the report’s more unusual entries have drawn particular attention: several dozen bras, multiple containers of breast milk, and a butterfly enclosure containing live specimens. The company confirmed that the breast milk was discarded in accordance with health regulations, while the butterflies were returned to their owner.
“This list is a reminder of the sheer variety of human experience that passes through our vehicles every day,” said an Uber spokesperson. “We take the safety of both drivers and riders extremely seriously, which is why we are reviewing procedures for handling unusual lost property and ensuring that drivers feel supported when dealing with unexpected situations.”
The audit will examine current protocols for reporting and storing lost items, as well as driver training on how to manage interactions that may involve personal or sensitive objects. The company is also considering whether to introduce clearer guidelines for items that could pose health or safety risks.
For context, Uber’s lost and found process relies on drivers to report items voluntarily. The company then facilitates contact between driver and rider. However, the system has faced criticism for placing undue burden on drivers, who may have to wait for passengers to reclaim possessions or dispose of perishable goods.
Transport safety experts have welcomed the move. Dr. Sarah Hargreaves, a transport policy researcher at the University of Westminster, noted that “lost property incidents can be a microcosm of broader safety issues. When drivers are dealing with intimate items like breast milk or undergarments, their training and support structures need to be robust. An audit is a sensible first step.”
The report also listed more conventional items such as books, umbrellas, and children’s toys. But the inclusion of live animals and biological materials underscores the challenges of operating a service that intersects so intimately with daily life.
Uber has not specified a timeline for the audit’s completion, but stated that any changes to protocols would be implemented before the end of 2024. The company is also exploring technological solutions, such as in-app prompts reminding passengers to check for belongings before exiting.
For drivers, the audit represents a recognition of the often-overlooked emotional labour of their work. “We’re not just driving people from A to B,” said Mark Thompson, a part-time Uber driver in London. “We’re carrying their lives with us. Some days that means a lost phone, other days it’s a bag of frozen breast milk. It’s good to know the company is taking these things seriously.”
As summer travel peaks, Uber expects the volume of lost items to increase. The company advises passengers to use the in-app “I lost an item” feature promptly and to double-check seats and boot before closing the door. For items that are unclaimed after 30 days, drivers may dispose of them or, in the case of unusual objects, report them to local authorities.
The lost property catalogue, while amusing, serves as a data point in a larger conversation about the responsibilities of platforms and the people who operate them. In an industry built on speed and convenience, the audit reminds us that the human factor remains the most complex variable.
