Uber to launch Shuttle bus service in Hyderabad and Mumbai soon

US-based ride-hailing giant Uber is preparing to roll out its bus (shuttle) service in Hyderabad (Telangana) and Mumbai (Maharashtra). 

The move is part of Uber’s plan to provide more affordable and convenient transport options in India’s major metro areas. The bus service aims to offer commuters a reliable and air-conditioned ride with pre-booked seating.

Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, said that the service is designed to meet the growing needs of urban commuters and is expected to reduce the stress of daily travel in these cities.

Focused on providing pre-booked and comfortable rides

The Uber bus service will follow the same model used in Kolkata and Delhi, where passengers can pre-book their seats through the Uber app.

Each bus will be air-conditioned and accommodate between 19 to 50 passengers, depending on the route. The buses will be operated by local fleet partners, leveraging Uber's technology for smooth operations.

Active discussions with stakeholders in Bengaluru

While Hyderabad and Mumbai are set to go live with Uber’s bus service soon, the company is also in talks to bring this service to Bengaluru.

However, regulatory approval has been a challenge. Prabhjeet Singh expressed his commitment to bringing the Uber bus to Bengaluru, assuming the authorities grant the necessary permissions. 

"We need regulatory go ahead to be able to launch a service like this and we have not been able to receive that. We are in active dialogues with multiple stakeholders and we are hoping to able to get a green light to do that but right now we don't have visibility of it," Singh said.

He highlighted that the service could potentially coexist with existing public transportation, offering commuters more choices for their daily travel.

Potential impact on urban mobility

The introduction of Uber buses in Hyderabad and Mumbai is expected to significantly improve urban mobility by offering an additional layer of transport that fits between private cabs and public buses.

Uber’s shuttle service, with features like air-conditioning, pre-booked seats, and high frequency, aims to provide a comfortable and efficient alternative for daily commuters. 

Singh also emphasized that such services could relieve some of the pressure on overcrowded public transport systems, creating a more seamless and pleasant commuting experience.

Regulatory challenges in expanding the service

While Uber’s bus service has been welcomed in cities like Kolkata and Delhi, its expansion to other cities like Bengaluru has faced regulatory hurdles.

Singh encouraged policymakers to be open to transportation innovations, which he believes could greatly benefit both citizens and businesses. 

“We need regulatory support to bring these services to more cities. Many companies and individuals are looking forward to this innovation,” he said, urging civil society and decision-makers to embrace such changes.

Uber’s expansion plans are part of a larger strategy to localize its offerings in India, catering to the specific needs of urban commuters while working within the country’s regulatory framework.