Uber is undoubtedly the biggest ride-hailing company out there, and now it is planning to go public with its new program that involves public transportation. Starting Thursday in Denver, the popular ride-sharing app will be adding support for public transit directly into its app, partnering with Denver-based public transit company Regional Transportation District.
Apart from the ability to book car rides, people in Denver can now find the fastest route to their destination with real-time transit information, maps, and directions. When users enter their destination, they can now see “Transit” next to other Uber options. Once selected, users can see available transit routes, along with real-time departure and arrival times, and even walking directions from the transit stations.
Introducing Uber Transit. From rides to rail, find the fastest route to your destination with real-time transit information, routes, and directions every step of the way in the Uber app. pic.twitter.com/2GKSQJ7AM4
— Uber (@Uber) January 31, 2019
Uber provides riders with the opportunity of discounted rides to and from mass transit stops. The company has already worked with a few cities around the world including New Delhi and Cairo where now it’s looking to increase these programs further.
The app will not only show the ETAs for public transportation but in the future users will also be able to buy tickets within the app itself, including daily and monthly passes for all various modes of public transportation.
This announcement made by Uber is an initial public transit offering. The company for further expansion is trying to make it easier for other transit agencies to partner with the app enabling different kinds of services that it can offer.
Uber has already established partnerships with some other agencies, but this is the first time that the company is integrating a city’s public transportation options right into the app.