Uber, the app cab aggregator, will launch a bus service for daily commuters in Kolkata in collaboration with the Bengal transport department.
The memorandum of understanding to launch the service, named “Uber Shuttle”, was signed between the private player and the state government at the Bengal Global Business Summit on Wednesday.
“The launch of Uber Shuttle will help in tackling road congestion while getting more people to commute in fewer vehicles which in turn helps reduce carbon emissions,” Uber said in a statement it issued during the day.
By March 2024, around 60 air-conditioned buses will run on “predefined routes”, connecting business districts with residential areas in Kolkata, the statement said. The buses will run from 6am to 10pm daily.
“As part of this MoU, Uber has proposed to invest $10 million by 2025 in the State and create approximately 50,000 livelihood opportunities in Kolkata in the next 5 years,” the statement said.
“Just like Uber cabs, commuters will be able to see the location of the nearest bus and book the service online. The expected time of arrival can also be known from the app,” said an official of the company.
Bengal transport secretary Saumitra Mohan signed the MoU on behalf of the state government.
Buses on which seats can be booked online are a preferred alternative to commuters who do not own private vehicles but still wish to avoid crowded public transport.
The company has said it will not allow passengers in excess of the seating capacity of a bus to board. Each bus will have a seating capacity of 19 to 50.
The buses will be run by local fleet partners using Uber’s technology.
There are other private shuttle services in Kolkata on select routes, where commuters can book seats through apps. But such vehicles are few in number and ply on a small number of routes.
The statement issued by Uber mentioned Shiva Shailendran, director of operations, Uber India & South Asia, as saying: “We are committed to building a business which serves the mobility needs of every Indian and it’s why buses are an important focus area for us at Uber.”
“This will help put more people in one vehicle, and help ease traffic congestion and reduce carbon footprint....”