Uber launches carpooling feature in Auckland
Connects drivers already going in the same direction as the passenger.
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Uber launched a carpooling service in Auckland today that matches commuters with an Uber driver going in the same direction.
The feature, called Driver Destinations, was set up to help local residents share rides with a neighbour on their way to and from work.
The cost for the passenger is the same as a normal Uber ride, and the driver – who must go through the usual Uber certification process – keeps 80% of the fare paid.
An Uber spokesman says the benefit of the service is to match demand better between passengers and drivers, as many drivers do it part-time on their way to work.
He says one-third of drivers do it on a casual basis of less than 10 hours a week, and could mean less of a wait time if both the passenger and driver were already going in the same direction.
A similar carpool service, Chariot Ridesharing, raised about $45,000 through equity crowdfunding in May last year and launched its app earlier this year. It also acquired carpooling database Carpool NZ to try and boost its user base.
Its founder, Thomas Kiefer, was not available to talk about whether Uber’s initiative could cannibalise his sales.
Chariot had forecast a net loss after tax of $76,523 on revenue of $1.1 million in the year to March 31, 2016, and expected to become profitable the year after. Its income comes from a 20% commission on the amount paid by each passenger to the car’s driver.
Calida Smylie
Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Mon, 19 Sep 2016
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Uber launches carpooling feature in Auckland
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