New Delhi: Uber, world’s largest taxi aggregator, has partnered with the Delhi Metro Rail Service to introduce a seamless commuter service ‘Uber Transit’ at select metro stations Delhi from Tuesday. The new service will provide last mile connectivity to Delhi Metro customers.
Under the partnership to improve first and last-mile connectivity for users, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will provide Uber dedicated pick up and drop points.
Talking to reporters, DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh said that a pilot is being run at about four stations and the facility will eventually be made available in 210 of 274 Metro stations.
“Research has shown that integrating on-demand services with public transport is beneficial for riders,” Mr Singh said at an even which saw Uber launching its “public transport” service in Delhi, making it the ninth city globally and first in Asia to have such a feature.
“This new initiative integrating public transport with mobility operators like Uber will certainly boost first and last mile connectivity solutions for around six million passenger journeys performed in the system daily,” Mr Singh said.
The Public Transport feature on the Uber app works quite similar to the Public Transit option available on Google Maps. However, Google’s offering lets users even book Uber and Ola cabs. The search giant also in the recent past enhanced the Maps app with an Auto Rickshaw Public Transport Mode and voice navigation for public transportation.
“India is a fundamental market for Uber,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber, while addressing the media at the event. “We think that it’s a big market and would help us bring innovations.”
Uber is also bullish on utilising Indian talent to export its developments to global markets and double down its headcount in the country. Nonetheless, the company often faces concerns over safety issues.
