US-based ride-sharing giant Uber is preparing to roll out its shuttle service in Hyderabad (Telangana) and Mumbai (Maharashtra).
The move is part of Uber’s plan to offer more affordable and convenient transportation options in major metropolitan areas in India. The bus service aims to offer travelers a reliable, air-conditioned journey with pre-booked seats.
Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia, said the service is designed to meet the growing needs of urban commuters and is expected to reduce the stress of daily travel in these cities.
Focused on offering comfortable, pre-booked trips
The Uber bus service will follow the same model used in Calcutta and Delhi, where passengers can reserve their seats in advance through the Uber app.
Each bus will be air-conditioned and will seat between 19 and 50 passengers, depending on the route. The buses will be operated by local fleet partners, leveraging Uber technology for seamless operations.
The service is designed to operate on frequent schedules, ensuring that a bus will be available every two to three minutes, providing commuters with a reliable alternative to traditional public transport.
Active discussions with stakeholders in Bengaluru
While Hyderabad and Mumbai will soon roll out Uber bus service, the company is also in talks to bring this service to Bengaluru.
However, regulatory approval has been a challenge. Prabhjeet Singh expressed his commitment to bring the Uber bus to Bengaluru, assuming the authorities grant necessary permissions.
“We need regulatory approval to be able to launch a service like this and we have not been able to receive it. We are in active dialogues with multiple stakeholders and we hope to be able to get the green light to do so, but right now we have no visibility into it,” Singh said.
He highlighted that the service could potentially coexist with existing public transport, offering commuters more options for their daily trips.
Potential impact on urban mobility
The introduction of Uber buses in Hyderabad and Mumbai is expected to significantly improve urban mobility by offering an additional layer of transportation that fits between private taxis and public buses.
Uber’s transportation service, with features such as air conditioning, pre-reserved seats and high frequency, aims to offer a comfortable and efficient alternative for daily commuters.
Singh also emphasized that such services could relieve some of the pressure on overcrowded public transport systems, creating a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.
Regulatory challenges in service expansion
While Uber’s bus service has been well received in cities like Kolkata and Delhi, its expansion to other cities like Bengaluru has faced regulatory hurdles.
Singh encouraged policymakers to be open to innovations in transportation, which he believed could greatly benefit both citizens and businesses.
“We need regulatory support to bring these services to more cities. “Many companies and individuals are looking forward to this innovation,” he said, urging civil society and decision-makers to accept such changes.
Uber’s expansion plans are part of a broader strategy to localize its offerings in India, catering to the specific needs of urban travelers while working within the country’s regulatory framework.
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