NEWCASTLE rideshare passengers can take a new path to their destination after Uber launched its shared travel option in the Hunter on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The rideshare giant announced it has rolled out Uber Pool in Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle and on the Sunshine Coast as a reimagined mode of transport.
The option allows people to share their Uber trip - and its cost - with others heading in the same direction.
The altered form of the service is also expected to roll out in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide.
Uber Pool was shelved in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, with social distancing making the service a potential spreading risk.
IN THE NEWS:
- Hunter workers and politicians rally around teachers before strike
- Our hidden gems: Three adventurous tours that unveil Newcastle
- Kay Fraser declares mayoral victory in Lake Macquarie
- Nuatali Nelmes declares lord mayoral winner for Newcastle
- Valentino Yuel stars as Jets come from behind to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC
Uber Australia head of rider operations Margarita Peker said the time away had been good for the service.
"Uber Pool always presented unique challenges in Australia, where our cities are less dense than global counterparts," she said.
"So we used the downtime to reflect, reimagine and get ready to relaunch Pool in a way where we could make it better and more accessible to more Aussies."
Pilots were run in Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast of the service. Riders are advised they could save up to 30 per cent of their bill and detours are reportedly capped at 10 minutes.
Passengers will also no longer have to walk to meet drivers nearby under the changes, with the service now billed as door to door.
"In recent weeks weve seen that people are well and truly moving again making up for missed birthdays and celebrations in record numbers," Ms Peker said. ''But as cities move again, instead of going back to business as usual, we want to make transport more sustainable and more affordable."
Passengers can access the service by requesting UberPool specifically in the app rather than UberX, with fares further discounted if other riders join the trip.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News