LAHORE, Pakistan – Uber, the smartphone app claiming to connect riders to drivers at the push of a button, vouches that its newly launched service uberAuto will offer another cost-effective, safer and more convenient option to its customers and is part of its plans to expand its reach across the country.
Uber has launched uberAuto, a rickshaw ride-hailing service, in Lahore, according to a statement issued on Monday.
The service was inaugurated by Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board Umar Saif.
Speaking at the occasion Saif said: “Initiatives, such as uberAuto, are a reflection of the way in which Lahore embraces technology within its transport industry.
Such solutions will make travelling in the city safer as well as more affordable and convenient for the citizens of Lahore.”
“The newly launched service is priced at 45 Pakistani rupees(S$0.60) as the base fare, 4 Pakistani rupees per kilometre plus 1 Pakistani rupee per minute,” according to the statement issued by Uber Pakistan.
UberAuto has been launched in Lahore with a free week offer, which means each Uber rider will get five free uberAuto rides, worth up to 80 Pakistani rupees, from October 17 to October 23.
The statement said, “uberAuto will help transform the existing transportation options by using the leading technology to build in another layer of safety, reliability and economic opportunity.”
While talking to Dawn, Uber officials said they would upgrade two-stroke rickshaws to four-stroke and will also provide training to drivers by educating them to use smartphone app.
“We have signed drivers on an individual basis, starting the programme with several hundred drivers initially,” they added.
Saif said they have discussed a plan to install a panic button in the vehicle next to the passenger’s seat in order to report any law and order violation or emergency since an Uber driver was involved in a rape case in Delhi.
In order to use uberAuto, a user will need to download the Uber App from any App store and request a ride from the app.
Uber, the smartphone app that claims to connect riders to drivers at the push of a button, said the newly launched service will provide another low-cost product to its customers and is part of its expansion across the country.
