Uber Shuttle gets permission to operate AC buses in Delhi | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
On Monday, Uber became the first aggregator to obtain a license from the Department of Transport to operate Uber Shuttle in Delhi. It is covered by the Delhi Premium Bus Scheme. The air-conditioned (AC) buses will be operated by local fleet partners with support from Uber.
According to the company, each Uber Shuttle will be able to accommodate 19 to 50 passengers.
Reservations can be made via the “Uber Shuttle” option in the Uber app, where riders will be able to reserve seats on their preferred route up to a week in advance.
Passengers can also track the bus’s location and route live and check the estimated time of arrival (ETA) via the app.
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The launch of Uber Shuttle in Delhi comes after a successful pilot in Delhi NCR, where the company claimed to have seen significant demand. However, it has been operational in Kolkata since last year.
“Uber Shuttle aims to deliver technically optimized mobility solutions using private bus fleets, solving road congestion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging ride-sharing,” the company said.
“By providing fresh options for commuters and creating a fresh livelihood for drivers, we are confident that this initiative will prove to be a win-win for all,” said Amit Deshpande, director, Uber Shuttle, India.
“We are pleased to give Uber the opportunity to leverage its global experience and technological capabilities to facilitate improve the commuting experience for the people of Delhi,” said an official from the Delhi government’s Department of Transport.
