Tag: uber india

Uber is Trying To Win Back Delhi By Offering Insane Discounts

It’s evident Uber is trying very hard to gain back lost ground in the capital. Post the rape incident, which nudged the government to look into the workings of app-based cab services, Uber has been banned to operate in Delhi several times. But the company keeps bouncing back.

The company would know, it is serious business when you’re trying to revive your business. Recently, for the people of Delhi, Uber announced a promotional offer that will allow customers to ride for as low as Rs 4.3/km.

The offer is at an extreme rate. Normally for an UberX ride, the charges are R.s 9/km with Rs 55 as base fare and for a Uber Black cab; it is Rs. 12/km with Rs 85 as a base fare.

Another offer currently running, which Delhites should take advantage of – using the promo code DELHI40, customers can avail up to 40% discount on the charges. The offer is applicable for just twice a day from 12 pm to 4pm, till 26^th of June.

Unlock 40% discount on all rides from 12pm to 4pm. Ride for as low as Rs.4.2/KM! Enter promo code: DELHI40 and get ridin’! #DitchYourKeys

— Uber Delhi (@Uber_Delhi) June 23, 2015

Customers can access this premium offer from both, the web version of Uber as well as the mobile application. For people using their services for daily transport, this is quite an attractive deal. There are only two more days left on this promotional offer, so make sure you use it to your benefit.

Uber was away from Delhi roads for quite some time while its competitors like Ola Cabs and TaxiForSure were carrying on their business smoothly. Uber also cleared its intentions regarding the security of the passengers saying that it is allowing only those “driving-partners who have undergone re-verification of their Police clearance in the last six weeks to get back on the platform.” Also, they are crossing the details of the drivers at their ends as well.

Also, Uber has developed some safety features that will be implanted in the vehicles nationwide. The security measures include an in-app emergency button, through which passenger can report about possible danger. It is also in process of forming a dedicated incident response team.

June 25, 2015
Here is Why Uber has Become Uber Safe
It is shocking when one of the largest cab services in the world suffer a blow like Uber did in 2014, in India. The rape unnerved thousands and the company’s fortunes sank in a country where they had the largest following, after the US.

A year later, Uber has recovered and has come a long way from having a marred reputation. They recently revised their privacy policies and have resolved to tighten their riders security. There’s no room for worry because here’s why Uber just got safer and hence, cooler.

We care deeply about the privacy of our riders and drivers. It’s why we’re always looking at ways to improve our practices.

[pullquote_right] the driver can access your personal data and past rides only if you wish. [/pullquote_right] Recently, Uber’s Katherine Tassi, who manages the Counsel of Data Privacy at Uber Technologies, announced that Uber has doubled the size of their privacy team and tightened the leash on their policies. That means three important benefits:
- Uber will now make sharing background information of the rider, optional. This means that the driver can access your personal data and past rides only if you wish.
- The texts that have been shared between the driver and rider will be accessible to the company so there is a limited scope of malicious activities.
- It will also have an option to share your contacts with the app. This means that your friends and family can receive exciting new offers, if you wish to give Uber that information.
With their privacy and security in place, the app is likely to be updated on July 15th.

[tw-divider][/tw-divider]

Unfortunately, India isn’t going to experience the other updates that have taken place. Uber has partnered with Spotify to bring your type of music to your cab ride, when you’re party hopping or just heading home on a regular day. It would’ve been great to have this feature as one can just connect their Spotify account to the music tab of their Uber app and listen to their favourite tracks, instead of balmy item numbers or loud Radio Jockeys. Hopefully, Uber will develop an alternative for their growing number of riders in India.

Lastly, many might not know that one can only book an Uber minutes or half an hour before they want a ride. This is very tricky for nervous travellers who want to be organised and book a cab at least a day in advance. You don’t want to bank on it if you have an early morning flight to catch. Nevertheless, if you do trust Uber showing up on time and if you’re a disorganised traveller, this feature wouldn’t bother you too much.
May 30, 2015
Cash Payment In Uber Cabs Rolls Out For Some Users In Hyderabad

India is a country where more than half of its population still pay their daily expenses using direct cash rather than through credit cards. It is due to this fact alone that Uber is lagging behind Ola Cabs, which holds on to about 80% of the organised cab market here. But, this scenario may change soon enough for Uber, keeping in mind the fact that the taxi company is now conducting an experimental test in the city of Hyderabad that will soon enable riders to pay drivers directly in cash after their taxi ride

Uber users just have to open the app, go to payment options and select cash as the payment option. This will enable the user to pay the cash directly after the ride. But, this option won’t be available for everyone for now as this phase has just been rolled out. The company said the cash option will be accessible to everyone in Hyderabad within a week’s time. Minimum pay balance in the user’s PayTm wallet will not be necessary, and there would be no booking fee or additional charges to riders.

Uber said that if the cash payment system works out well in Hyderabad, other cities in India will soon be able to do the same in the coming few months. Last month, following a similar scheme, Uber had launched UberAuto, an auto hauling service that accepts cash payments.

May 12, 2015
You Can Now Book an Uber Cab Using Your Zomato App

Zomato is collaborating with the cab company, Uber, to help customers book cabs to the restaurant they are planning to eat at. This announcement came after Zomato acquired NexTable, an online table reservation app based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This partnership has been rolled out to Zomato users across 27 cities across 13 countries including India, Australia, Canada, UK, Indonesia, South Africa, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Turkey, Portugal, UAE and the US. The feature is already live for users in London and South Africa, and it will roll out soon in the other countries mentioned.

Commenting on the new feature, Pankaj Chaddah, Co-Founder and COO of Zomato, said:

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Pankaj Chaddah” author_title=”Co-Founder and COO of Zomato”]

We’re constantly looking for ways to make every meal, for everyone, a great experience. This partnership makes eating out more convenient with the Zomato app connecting to Uber services seamlessly.

[/quote]

How does it work? Once you have found a suitable restaurant on the Zomato, an Uber button appears on the restaurant page. This shows the estimated fare and the time required for the cab to arrive at your location, hence serving your needs. Seems like a favourable development for both the companies, as well as the customers.

April 23, 2015
Uber to Resume Services With Additional Security Measures

The Uber owners can now breathe a sigh of relief as Delhi government has lifted ban on the app-based transportation service. Delhi Transport Department on Monday added some new rules in the Radio Taxi Scheme 2006 which include cab-hailing apps like Uber, Ola and more to the category of Radio Taxis. The declaration has come as a welcome note for the ride-sharing service as its status was uncertain post the ban implemented earlier this month.

Uber services were banned in Delhi as a result of the rape incident committed by a registered Uber driver two weeks ago. The app faced an outrage of people all over the world, and as a result, its services were barred in the capital.

As per the modified rules in the Radio Taxi Scheme 2006, the app-based taxi companies can resume their services in the national capital once they obtain a license. All licensees need to maintain a minimum fleet of 200 radio taxis. It can be done either by owning a car or by an agreement with individual drivers possessing licensed taxi permits. The new law overrules the existing rule which say that those services will only be eligible to own licenses who have at least 500 cabs.

The modified rule received a mixed response from the taxi-app owners, however, Uber head seemed relieved with the decision. The head of Uber Asia operations Eric Alexander commented-

All the information solicited from Uber has been dutifully provided to the authorities. We look forward to a positive outcome which benefits the people of Delhi.

The rule says that the app-driven taxis should incorporate GPS and GPRS trackers, a printer along with a display panel through which passengers could keep a tab on the path and total distance covered. Furthermore, a helpline center, an authorised call center or a web portal should be established for the security of female passengers. Also, licensees need to list all the details on the website like ownership, registered address, contact details, fare structure, control room number, services offered, insurance liabilities, together with a section for redressal of grievances.

Although the lift of this ban has been met with mixed emotions; we pray that the security measures implemented are enough to prevent any such incident in future.

December 30, 2014
Uber Introduces New Safety Standards to Revive its Public Image

Uber in India came under scrutiny after the recent rape incident. It was held responsible for not conducting a proper background check on the driver involved in the unfortunate incident. Now the company is taking several actions to revive its public perception. The app based cab service has introduced new safety standards through which it intends to create a safer environment for its riders as well as its drivers. The company has asked its followers to use the hashtag #BRINGUBERBACK to show their support for the company.

Uber will be facing a hearing at the transport department on Monday, 29th of December. This hearing will determine if Uber can begin offering its services again. The company has created a page with a petition for the consumers to sign. This page lists the new security initiatives devices by the company.

The text begins by explaining the present safety features of Uber. This includes features like real-time GPS tracking with the ‘Share My ETA’ feature. This feature lets Uber users share their location in real time with others so they can be sure of their safety. Next safety feature is hiring drivers who are police verified and are declared eligible by state transport authority. Uber also requires mandatory star ratings for feedbacks about the driver. The company also states that as the payment can be made through the app, there is no need to carry cash either.

After stating its present safety standards, it goes ahead to introduces the new safety features. Uber says that it will ensure all its drivers have authentic and valid police verification. Additionally, there will also be a local team of specially-trained safety experts to detect fraud, verify and authenticate driver/ vehicle documents and test the validity of our screening. It will bring in experts who will specialize in evaluating the background checks.

Uber will be setting up an Incident Response Team that will specialize on resolving critical issues for the rider and the drivers. They have also enhanced the ShareMyETA feature in their app. Through this, users can send complete trip details (including live GPS tracking, driver photo, name and vehicle license number) to their loved ones.

There had been many incidents this year where Uber came out as an antagonist. The company is in desperate need of an image overhaul, and the introduction of new safety features might just be the first step towards it.

To read more about how technology can be used to make cabs safer in India, click here.

December 27, 2014