Uber Introduces Shared Rides through Uber Pool

A much needed solution to the daily traffic and congestion came handy as car aggregator Uber introduces its twin services in Kolkata that will encourage commuters to share rides in both cabs and personal cars, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

Uber spokesperson Ruchika Tomar said to EXIN Times, "We will soon introduce Uber Pool and Uber Commute in Kolkata to get more people into fewer cars. Kolkata, like Delhi, faces an air pollution problem. The twin services were introduced in Delhi in December; just before the Odd-Even restrictions came into force. These vehicles, along with other measures, led to a 17% decline of congestion in Delhi. Even after the restrain was removed, people have continued to use these shared services." 

Tomar also added that there are number of people from the same locality, office or who are neighbors sharing their rides and using pool car in an unorganized manner. “Through technology, we hope to influence and encourage sharing of cars to benefit others," she said. Uber Pool is the option that pops up when commuters start booking for a ride focusing upon maximizing the utilization of cabs.

Uber Commute, another service from Uber, emphasizes upon private car owners and encouraging them to take another rider while providing the opportunity to share cost. Uber officials said to EXIN Times, “The fare for the rider will be around half of an Uber Go ride. Uber will get 20% of the fare.”

On an extension of their plan of Uber Pool and Uber Commute in Kolkata, Uber is all set to introduce women cab drivers in the city. The organization is vowed to employ 1 million women drivers globally among whom 50,000 will happen from Kolkata.