Key Points:
- Uber’s Expansion into Bus Service: Uber announces its entry into the bus service sector in Delhi, following the acquisition of an aggregator license under the Delhi Premium Bus Scheme.
- Convenient Booking Option: Customers can now pre-book seats on their preferred routes through the ‘Uber Shuttle’ option on the app, promising enhanced convenience and efficiency in commuting.
- Traffic Congestion and Carbon Footprint Reduction: Uber aims to mitigate traffic congestion and reduce the city’s carbon footprint by facilitating shared rides through its bus service, Uber Shuttle.
- Government Collaboration: The initiative receives support from the Transport Department of the Government of Delhi, highlighting a collaborative effort to improve public transport services and diversify commuting options.
- Operational Expansion: The Uber Shuttle service expands beyond Delhi-NCR, following a successful pilot program, and has been operational in Kolkata since last year under an MoU with the West Bengal Government.
- Capacity and Operation: Each Shuttle vehicle, operated by local fleet partners using Uber’s technology, can accommodate 19 to 50 passengers, offering a scalable solution to meet diverse commuting needs.
- Vision for the Future: Uber’s venture into the bus service sector marks a significant step towards revolutionizing urban transportation, offering commuters a reliable, convenient, and eco-friendly mode of travel in Delhi.
In a groundbreaking move set to transform the landscape of public transportation, ride-hailing giant Uber announced its foray into the bus service arena in Delhi. This innovative initiative comes as Uber has been granted an aggregator license to operate buses under the Delhi Premium Bus Scheme, marking a significant milestone in the city’s transportation sector.
Under the newly introduced ‘Uber Shuttle’ option on the app, customers will now have the convenience of pre-booking seats on their preferred routes, revolutionizing the way Delhiites commute. This move not only promises to enhance the efficiency of transportation but also aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Amit Deshpande, Head of Uber Shuttle, India, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “Uber Shuttle will help put more people in one vehicle, and help ease traffic congestion and reduce carbon footprint. Through a new option for commuters and creating a new source of livelihood for drivers, we are confident that this initiative will prove to be a win-win for all.”
The introduction of Uber Shuttle follows a successful pilot program conducted in Delhi-NCR and its operational launch in Kolkata last year under an MoU with the West Bengal Government. With the grant of the aggregator license by the Transport Department of the Government of Delhi, the city becomes the first state to officially award such a license for bus operations.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing public transport services, an official from the Transport Department stated, “The Government of Delhi stays committed to improving public transport services and diversifying available transportation options to streamline commuting for Delhiites.”
Each Shuttle vehicle, operated by local fleet partners utilizing Uber’s cutting-edge technology, will have the capacity to accommodate 19 to 50 passengers, catering to a wide range of commuting needs across the city.
The introduction of Uber’s bus service marks a significant step towards revolutionizing urban transportation, offering commuters a reliable, convenient, and eco-friendly mode of travel. As Delhiites embrace this novel commuting option, the city’s transportation landscape is poised for a transformative shift towards efficiency and sustainability.