New Delhi: Premium cab service Uber has introduced an India-centric low-cost cab service that it claims will take on autorickshaws in the cities.
As part of the service the company has deployed a fleet of hatchbacks like the Toyota Etios Liva, Maruti Suzuki Ritz, Tata Indica Vista and the Maruti Suzuki Swift among others.
"Today we take another step towards making Uber available to over 1.2 billion Indians. We are excited to announce the launch of uberGO; a spanking new range of low cost, chauffeur-driven hatchbacks (think Etios Liva and Maruti Ritz) that roll onto the streets of every Uber city in India today," the company said in a blog post today.
The base fare for a ride has been set at Rs 40, with per-km charges varying in the Rs 11-12 range, depending on which city you are in. In addition, you will be charged Rs 1 for every minute the driver has to wait.
This means the minimum fare for the service is Rs 80 for cities like Delhi and Mumbai, and Rs 75 for Bengaluru.
Giving a comparison of how cheap the service is, Uber has compared rides with autorickshaws between destinations. For example, a ride from Safdarjung Enclave to Khan Market will cost you Rs 85 in an uberGO, but Rs 90 if you take an autorickshaw. Likewise, a ride from Vasant Vihar to Cyber City costs Rs 183, as compared to Rs 215.
As part of an introductory offer, the company is offering 25 per cent off on regular fares, as well as Rs 400 off on your first uberGO ride. Users need to rnter the promo code “UBERGO-INDIA” to avail the latter.
Uber has also revealed that it has partnered Huawei to provide Android smartphones in the cab, replacing the iPhones.
Uber will now have three types of services - UberGO, UberX and UberBLACK. While UberGO will be the low cost, UberBLACK is the premium service.
Uber will compete against the likes of OlaCabs and Taxi For Sure for a market that is estimated to be worth up to $9 billion.
The cities covered by Uber includes Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Kolkata.
