Uber launches long-distance round trips

Uber says that the feature, which is now available across all cities, empowers users with a much higher level of flexibility & convenience

Urban mobility firm Uber has rolled out long distance round trips, allowing passengers to book single or multi-day return on outstation travels with Uber, while retaining the same car and the driver. 

In a press statement Uber says that the feature, which is now available across all cities, empowers users with a much higher level of flexibility and convenience on their business or leisure trips. Riders can now book outstation round trips for as many as five days. The vehicle and the driver will be with the rider through the duration, with the enhanced flexibility of adding stops as they go.

The statement adds that the option to reserve rides up to 90 days in advance has been designed to help in better journey planning for planned, outstation travel. The feature is beneficial for drivers, too, as this gives them the option to lock in higher earnings and plan their days ahead. The fare for round trips includes waiting time and overnight lodging fees, for multi-day trips, to ensure the drivers are compensated for their time.

Shweta Mantri

“This innovative feature caters to a whole new set of travellers who seek extended flexibility and convenience. Outstation travel in taxis has largely been an unorganised market so far, and Intercity round trips change that game entirely with the host safety and tracking features available on all Uber rides. We are excited to redefine the future of long-distance road travel,’’ says Shweta Mantri, Head of New Mobility.

The statement adds that this will also further eliminate the obligation to manually book a local taxi service for a travel journey; with the added advantage of tracking the journey through the app, making the trip safer and much more reliable.

Uber says that since its launch in India in 2013, over 3 billion trips have been made so far and the service is now available across 125 cities in India, with options of motorcycles, autorickshaws, cars and buses, with over 800,000 drivers using the app to earn their livelihood.