Uber is testing a new feature that picks up passengers along specific routes to make their travel a little cheaper, according to a latest report by Tech Crunch. Dubbed as “Smart Routes”, the feature will offer quick pick up and drops for passengers along a specific routes.
The new Smart Routes feature works similar to a bus like transport as the passengers can head to any spot on that specific route and request an pickup when the next driver comes along. Currently, Uber is quietly testing this along a couple of popular corridors in San Francisco as part of its carpooling service, UberPool.
“We have begun testing a new feature to streamline the UberPool experience for both riders and drivers. This experimental feature, called ‘Smart Routes,’ aims to simplify pick-ups by encouraging riders to request a ride along specific routes in San Francisco.”
said Uber to TechCrunch.
In order to use the new service, users will have to drop a pin to the Smart Route and meet the driver on that street and Uber, in exchange will provide $1 discount to the passenger’s fare. It must be noted that unlike the usual service, passengers will have to reach the pick up point as the driver will not pick you up at your doorstep. At present, the Smart Routes are running in Fillmore Street between Haight and Bay street, and Valencia Street between 15th and 26th street in San Francisco.
Uber has been testing a similar feature called “Suggested Pickup Points” for a while now. The company says the new Smart Routes are part of its “ongoing efforts to increase the efficiency of driver-partners’ time spent on the road while helping riders save time and money. Uber’s latest feature falls in line with Lyft’s HotSpots option, which allows users to walk to a specific corner or location in order to get a discounted fair.
Let’s hope that Uber brings Smart Routes feature in India soon. Just yesterday, the on demand taxi hailing service expanded to four new cities and is now operational in a total of 22 cities in the country.