[wheelguy]

Ride sharing service provider Uber has launched new journey planning feature ‘Public Transport’ in New Delhi, which will integrate Uber App with the city’s Metro and public bus service. With this New Delhi becomes the second Asia Pacific city to get this feature.

The company says that it has been working with transit agencies across the globe for years, building partnerships including with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to provide paratransit services in Boston, to Nice, France for providing late-night connecting service to rail lines. Uber says it understands that the future of transport is multimodal, and that ridesharing alone can’t help build the smart cities of the future. For this the company is partnering with transit or public transport systems across the globe.

To use the feature Delhiites after entering a destination, they’ll see Public Transport as an option alongside ‘UberGO’, ‘Premier’ and ‘UberPool.’. Upon selecting the public transport feature, riders will be able to see fastest and cheapest routes; real-time schedules; including departure time for public transportation, including Metro and buses and walking directions, to and from nearby Metro stations and bus stops.

The announcement allows commuters to call for a ride at the tap of a button and aims to solve first/last mile connectivity challenges. The feature is rolled out shortly after Uber won a public bid to offer our mobility services across 210 Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stations.

Under the partnership Uber also plans to showcase future smart mobility solutions and how public transport can be integrated with its multi-modal vision for urban mobility. It highlights a breadth of first- and last-mile options with organized and dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas to complement public transportation. Services such as UberGO, Pool, Moto, Auto, Bikesharing and the upcoming Uber Bus which it says will highlight the power of Uber’s platform. Additionally, Uber’s Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) will benefit differently-abled riders.

More about Uber Bus at: https://auto.economictimes.indiatime...roads/71709087

Source: Autocar Professional

[alpha1]

How do they get to show the real-time updates of the train/bus schedule?
I was quite impressed by the Google and Here maps functioning well in NYC subway.

[libranof1987]

Ola had started a similar service, Ola Shuttle, a long time back but it very quickly fizzled out. At least in Pune, because of massive resistance from the six-seater lobby run by gaonwallahs (at least that's what we got to hear).

Hope Uber Bus has a better fate. Last mile connectivity can do wonders in getting cars off the road. But Uber Bus can potentially eat into Uber's other (and mainstream) business. Their analysis must have estimated it to be not significant enough.

[TusharK]

The Uber App now offers public transport information to users. At present, it is only available in Delhi and has information about Delhi Metro and DTC buses.



According to Uber, the Public Transport option provides users with the fastest and cheapest routes, real-time schedules with departure times for metro and buses. The feature also provides walking directions to and from metro stations and bus stops.

The company expects the integration of mass-transit systems and ride-sharing to improve congestion and reduce pollution.

Link to Team-BHP News

[Storm2.0]

We'll, hasn't Google already pioneered by addressing all these aspects? What new has Uber brought to the table? I think they should just focus on their taxi business and provide a better user experience.

[bvasista]

Originally Posted by alpha1

How do they get to show the real-time updates of the train/bus schedule?
I was quite impressed by the Google and Here maps functioning well in NYC subway.

I have used Google maps very much in NYC. As you said, Google maps is very useful there.

I am now living in Chennai for more than a year and was quite surprised to see Google maps giving the timings of MTC bus arrival also very precisely. I would say Google was not correct all the times (plus our usual traffic onditions) but at times, the bus arrived exactly on the time given by Google maps.

[sharninder]

Originally Posted by bvasista

I have used Google maps very much in NYC. As you said, Google maps is very useful there.

Google maps does this in Delhi already. Not sure what Uber is bringing to the table here.

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by sharninder

Google maps does this in Delhi already. Not sure what Uber is bringing to the table here.

I don't think google maps allow booking of metro / bus / taxi.
Uber will do all that Gmaps does and then add payment options to avail that mode of ride.

In the back end they will have a partnership agreement with some kind of commission, or perhaps advertisements revenue.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by alpha1

Uber will do all that Gmaps does and then add payment options to avail that mode of ride.

Uber makes everyone Jason Bourne . Sample from Uber ride:

* You ride is confirmed. Get on the Uber Jump (bike) that just stopped next to you.
* Get off the bike now and take Uber pool, rear right seat.
* Get off pool, board the bus in front of your car.
* Get off the bus now, cross the road, get in the Uber Lux and enjoy the plush ride for 9 minutes.
* Get off Lux, take the elevator to 90th floor. Board the Uber Copter waiting for you.
* Get off the Copter, ride the elevator down to Level 1. You are at your destination.

Charge for your ride is $$$ and was already deducted from your card