Uber, the American ride-hailing giant, introduced a new service this week tailored for budget-conscious commuters. The new service, called “Route Share,” allows passengers to ride with others on designated routes at specified pick-up points for a lower cost compared to traditional UberX rides.
This initiative aims to provide an affordable alternative for daily commuters, as Uber announced in a statement earlier this week. By sharing rides with up to two other passengers during peak hours, passengers can potentially save up to 50% off regular UberX fares.
According to the company, “Route Share” offers stable and frequent direct ride-sharing services during peak commute hours (local time from 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 8 pm, Monday to Friday). Passengers can reserve a seat in advance, and drivers will wait at a nearby street corner for up to two minutes before additional charges apply for delays.
Uber ensures that during busy commuting hours on weekdays, they will offer pick-up services every 20 minutes on congested routes. The company promises passengers to enjoy the predictability and comfort of Uber at a lower price (up to 50% cheaper than UberX).
Additionally, Uber has rolled out two new ride discount programs to help users cut down on travel expenses:
– Price Lock Pass: Launched this week in select cities for only $2.99 per month, enabling users to lock in prices for up to 10 routes in advance.
– Prepaid Pass: Expected to start this summer, allowing users to purchase bundles of 5, 10, 15, or 20 rides at discounted rates.
The ride-sharing company announced that “Route Share” will initially launch in major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, and Baltimore, with plans for further expansion to more cities in the future.
Uber has yet to disclose the official launch date for the “Route Share” service plan.