Uber's recent collaboration with the West Bengal transport department is set to introduce a novel service named 'Uber Shuttle' in Kolkata, marking a pioneering partnership between the transport giant and the local government. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Uber and the transport department aims to revolutionize daily commuting in the city.
The 'Uber Shuttle' service is designed to leverage Uber's global expertise and will employ private bus fleets to optimize technology-driven mobility choices for commuters. The primary objective is to address road congestion by facilitating more people to travel in fewer vehicles, consequently reducing carbon emissions.
The service is slated to commence operations by March 2024 and is expected to roll out approximately 60 air-conditioned buses along predefined routes, linking Kolkata's business districts with residential areas. As part of this initiative, Uber has proposed an investment of $10 million by 2025 in the state, aiming to generate around 50,000 livelihood opportunities in Kolkata within the next five years.
This announcement, made during the Bengal Global Business Summit 2023, emphasizes the convenience and innovation that 'Uber Shuttle' promises to bring to commuters. Commuters will have the ability to pre-book seats up to a week in advance, track the live location and route of the bus, and access estimated arrival times—similar to the features available for Uber cabs.
The service pledges a convenient commute experience, ensuring safety with measures such as no standing passengers, cashless payments, and 24x7 safety support through Uber's dedicated Safety Line. Operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, these buses aim to transform the daily commute experience in Kolkata.
(With Agency Inputs)
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