 "Uber launches bike service in Gurgaon")
Uber said its pilot in Gurgaon would allow it to show how it helps in decongesting the city.
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“UberMOTO works towards the vision of reducing congestion by helping fill every empty seat on the bikes on road. It enables riders to push a button and share a motorbike ride within minutes. It’s a great way for people to save time and money on short trips across town and provides last-mile connectivity - especially to and from the metro stations,” said Gagan Bhatia, general manager, Uber Delhi.
The company said it follows the launch of Uber’s carpooling service, which is designed to get more people into fewer cars.
Uber further said it would not charge any service fee for the duration of this pilot and will submit a key-findings report to the government, analysing the benefits of bikesharing in the city.
“One has to choose the uberMOTO option in the app. Enter pickup location and payment method. Request a ride. We’ll show your driver’s details straight away - name, photo and details of the motorbike. All riders and drivers have to wear a helmet in Gurgaon by law. So your uberMOTO driver will have one on hand for you,” it said in its statement.
This is the second city Uber is trying to launch its pilot after its ‘bike-taxi’ service in Bengaluru was stopped from plying just a day after it was launched. Bengaluru became the first city where both Uber and its biggest rival Ola introduced the two-wheeler taxi services. However, within a day of launch, the government issued a statement saying bike taxi services operating in the state were illegal and be withdrawn.
Not only did the Karnataka government accuse Uber of not complying with its ban on bike taxis, it also seized around 80 two-wheelers operating on Uber’s platform. “The company is in talks with the state government on the issue and we have given a proposal to allow the resumption of services on a pilot basis. The government is considering it,” said a source close to the company.
Uber’s standard product safety features are in place before, during and after every trip, including GPS tracking, two-way feedback and the ability to share trip details with family and friends.
Payment of the ride is via cash, PayTM or Airtel money mobile wallet.
The company has kept the price of uberMOTO at Rs 3 per km. The minimum fare is Rs 20. “We’re giving away free rides to first-time users worth Rs 50,” it said.