Uber, a leading ride-hailing company, has unveiled its bus shuttle service in Kolkata catering specifically to office-goers. The service, named Uber Shuttle, is set to deploy 60 air-conditioned buses on predefined routes in Kolkata by March 2024. This initiative aims to connect business districts with residential areas, enhancing commuting convenience for workers in the city.
As part of its commitment to West Bengal, Uber has announced a substantial investment of $10 million (approximately INR 83 crore) by 2025. The company plans to generate around 50,000 livelihood opportunities over the next five years, contributing to economic growth in the region. This development follows Uber’s agreement with the state transport department, formalized during the Bengal Global Business Summit.
Uber Shuttle, already operational in Delhi NCR, allows passengers to book seats up to a week in advance, offering features similar to the company’s cab service. Passengers can track live locations and routes, receive real-time estimated time of arrival (ETA), and benefit from cashless payment options. The service operates daily from 6 AM to 10 PM, providing a comfortable and safe ride with round-the-clock safety support.
Shiva Shailendran, Director of Operations at Uber India & South Asia, expressed the significance of this partnership, stating, “This unique partnership will bring the convenience and reliability of Uber rides to buses, contributing to our global sustainability goal of increasing vehicle occupancy, reducing traffic congestion, and lowering carbon emissions.” He emphasized the initiative’s potential to offer commuters more transport choices and create livelihood opportunities for drivers.
Dr. Saumitra Mohan, IAS, Secretary of the Transport Department in the West Bengal government, affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing public transport services and providing diverse commuting options. He highlighted the partnership with Uber as a significant step toward achieving these objectives.
Celebrating its 10th year in India, Uber claims to have facilitated over 3 billion rides in the country, supporting the livelihoods of 800,000 Indians by offering a sustainable income through driving for Uber. Despite these achievements, the company faces challenges, with Fairwork India rating it poorly in terms of working conditions, receiving only 1 out of 10 points for meeting minimum standards of fair work. Uber has also encountered various legal and operational challenges in India, reflecting the complexities of the ride-hailing landscape in the country.
