Uber is set to launch a shuttle service in select U.S. cities this summer. This service is designed to cater to events like concerts and sports games, as well as airport pickups and drop-offs. The shuttle service is a repurposed product initially developed for commuters in India and Egypt, where there was a gap in public transportation.
Uber will collaborate with local fleet providers who employ commercially licensed drivers to operate vans and buses that range from 14 to 55 seats. This approach is a departure from Uber’s traditional model of using gig workers. The shuttle service aims to fill the instances where people are less likely to use their own vehicles, such as when they want to enjoy a few drinks at a ball game or need an affordable way to get to the airport.
The biggest challenge for Uber will be determining the optimal pickup locations and times. To address this, Uber plans to leverage its vast stores of aggregate data to understand how people move from airports, stadiums, and amphitheaters.
Uber will launch event shuttles this summer in partnership with entertainment company Live Nation. The shuttle service will be available at some Live Nation amphitheaters for concertgoers in Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and Chicago. Uber also plans to partner with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, Formula One, Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, and other events to provide shuttle services.
The shuttle service will allow riders to reserve a seat for themselves or up to five people in a shuttle that goes to and from an airport, a concert, or a game. The cost will be a fraction of the price of an UberX, and the prices won’t be impacted by surge pricing.
Read more: techcrunch.com