Uber launches Public Transport feature for smarter commuting

The Public Transport journey planning feature will begin rolling out to Uber riders across New Delhi, making travel easier with the information riders need to make the smartest possible journey choices.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Chief Executive Officer, Uber said, “The way people use transport is changing and through partnerships with cities and leading transit authorities like the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Uber’s technology can help millions of people make smarter shared mobility choices that save time and money while reducing their environmental impact.

We know that Uber and the cities in which we operate share many of the same goals: reducing congestion, expanding access to transportation and tackling air pollution. With today’s launch we demonstrate one more way Uber is becoming the operating system for everyday life, in India and across the world.”

After opening the Uber App and entering a destination, riders will see Public Transport as an option alongside UberGo, Premier and Pool. Upon selecting the Public Transport feature, riders will be able to see the fastest and cheapest routes; real-time schedules; as well as departure time for public transportation, including Metro and buses and walking directions, to and from nearby Metro stations and bus stops.

Manik Gupta, Chief Product Officer, Uber explained, “It's our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of shared mobility options - whether cars, bikes, or public transport - all in the Uber app.

No matter where you want to go, or what your price point is, we have a solution to meet your needs. We’re excited to give riders in New Delhi a seamless way to access public transport, starting today, and to introduce more options as we move forward towards a mutli-modal future of mobility for all.

The announcement, which allows commuters to call for a ride at the tap of a button and solve first and last mile connectivity challenges, comes shortly after Uber won a public bid to offer its mobility services across 210 Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stations.

Commenting on the Uber-DMRC partnership, Pradeep Parameswaran, President, Uber India and South Asia said, “Our reliable, affordable and safe travel options should move millions of commuters every day from Point A to Point B, without relying on the use of a private car. By launching Public Transport, live transit information about the city’s heartline, the Delhi Metro and the DTC, will be available in the Uber App, thereby helping us fulfil some of the important responsibilities that come with being a good partner to this great global city.”

Welcoming this initiative, Dr. Mangu Singh, Managing Director, DMRC, said "The Metro network today spans over 377 km with 274 Metro stations covering not only most parts of capital city but also the NCR cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabgarh and Bahadurgarh in Haryana and Noida and Ghaziabad in U.P.

This new initiative integrating public transport with mobility operators like Uber will certainly boost first and last mile connectivity solutions for around 6 million passenger journeys performed in the system daily.

DMRC has in the recent past encouraged the adoption of increased last mile connectivity solutions which are environment friendly, easy to operate and navigate in areas adjoining Metro stations like e-rickshaws, e-bikes/scooters, etc. Additionally, it has partnered with on-demand mobility operators like Uber to enhance their commuting experience with seamless last mile connectivity.”

DMRC and Uber have also unveiled their shared vision of a ‘model Metro station’ to showcase how public transport can be integrated with Uber’s multi-modal vision for the future of mobility.

The model demonstrates the breadth of first and last mile options with organized and dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas to complement public transportation. Services such as Go, Pool, Moto, Auto, and Uber’s Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) further highlight the power of Uber’s platform.