São Paulo – In its latest project, the ride-hailing app Uber announced the launch of its first-ever bus service this week – Uber Bus. The project was purposely designed for Cairo, the capital of Egypt. “I’m excited to be in Cairo to launch Uber Bus, a product that will improve affordable transportation for millions of Egyptians by using Uber’s technology to enhance the popular minibus system,” an Uber press release quoted CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (pictured at the beginning of this article) as saying.
According to Uber, the service will incorporate the company’s technology into the city’s popular microbus system. With this new development, the company turns to a different demographic which seeks more affordable options. The system had been under testing since September. It will initially cover the areas of Nasr City, Heliopolis, Greater Downtown and Mohandeseen. It’s expected to spread to all of Cairo in months to come.
As per Uber’s press release, “when Cairo residents request a Bus ride through the standard Uber app, Uber will find other passengers travelling in the same direction so that everyone can get to their destination with fewer stops.” What sets this service apart is its price: “As the rides are shared with other Uber passengers, the price is affordable enough for everyday use, while still maintaining Uber standards,” the company said.
According to Uber, the microbuses are equipped with air conditioning. The company did not say whether the vehicles will be its own or how driver-related aspects will work.
Uber Lite
Uber is also about to launch Uber Lite, a new version of its app for drivers. It was developed to run with low connectivity and on older Android devices across the Middle East as of next year.
The new interface was designed to make booking faster and lighter in spotty connectivity, on basic Android phones and for people with limited data plans. The product is being tested in parts of the region.
The new projects are intended to broaden access, reaching millions of people in Egypt and the Middle East. “Egypt and the Middle East region are hugely important to Uber and we will continue to heavily invest in this part of the world,” Uber’s CEO said.
Regulatory reforms
Egypt’s minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr said the Ministry will support companies investing in Egypt to expand their presence. “with a global company like Uber choosing Egypt to launch “Uber Bus” is a testament to the success of the investment climate after the latest regulatory reforms. Uber’s new investments will benefit from the new investment law and the ride-sharing regulations, as well as the roads and bridges infrastructure the country has put in place,” Nasr said. She also mentioned the fact that Uber invested some USD 20 million in its Centre of Excellence in Cairo, which opened in 2017.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
