Ridesharing company Uber and Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited have announced a partnership to offer first and last mile connectvity to the metro rail.

The first phase of this partnership will see Uber set up kiosks at 24 metro stations to provide connectivity options.

Barney Harford, COO, Uber said, “Our goal is to integrate ridesharing with transit to ensure seamless commutes. By making it easy to get to and from metro stations, we are reducing the need for private car ownership and making infrastructure accessible to the citizens of Hyderabad.”

NVS Reddy, Managing Director, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited said, “HMRL has always kept the interest of its commuters at the centre of its functioning. It is important to connect more parts of the city that will eventually help them save time and money. Through this partnership, we are looking forward to encouraging more people to use mass transportation that will effectively connect different points of the city.”

“The Hyderabad Metro has shown to the world how a public-private partnership (PPP) mode project, which entails an investment of over $3 billion, could be executed,” he said.

Through this partnership, metro commuters can enjoy the ease of booking an Uber ride across all active stations in Hyderabad. Uber will work closely with HMRL to enable seamless last-mile connectivity for riders as the Hyderabad Metro launches additional lines and stations in their subsequent phases of metro development.

Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Telangana, said “Uber centre of excellence has grown from a modest 350 people to over 2600 people in Hyderabad and this augurs well for the State. We are looking at further engagements with Uber.”

Drivers protest

A few cab drivers, who have been working on the Uber platform, gatecrashed into the press conference being held in a five star hotel, shouting slogans “We want justice.”

They contended that their engagement with Uber was not profitable and surging fuel prices were adding to their woes.

Uber said, “Driver earnings across India are largely sustainable and consistent over the last several months. While earnings is not one size, fits all and varies by the time and trips individual driver partners take on Uber. Over 80 per cent of drivers who are online for eight hours a day continue to make between ₹1500 to ₹2500 net after deducting Uber's 20 per cent service fee.”

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