Uber Now Allows Riders to Compare Prices with Public Transportation

Uber recently launched a new feature that may just change the way you use ridesharing. This feature will allow users to find the cheapest way to get to their destination – including public transportation. Yes, you heard us right. Uber is going to tell you how much cheaper taking the bus would be, and give you the option to choose public transportation instead of an Uber ride. 

This new feature, called “Uber Transit”, is the first time any ridesharing app has combined public transportation into their platform. Studies have found that the existence of companies like Uber and Lyft has led to a decrease in the usage of public transportation, even when the subway or bus is often cheaper than a rideshare. The reason riders choose a company like Uber and Lyft is because of the convenience and flexibility that a rideshare offers in comparison to public transportation, which typically runs on a schedule. 

With this new feature, however, that may change. When users can compare prices side-by-side, it may almost guilt them into choosing the option that makes the most economical sense, given that it’s not an emergency to get where they requested to go. 

Uber must be pretty confident in the fact that their loyal users will choose an Uber instead of public transportation if they were willing to integrate this into their application. Some might argue that Uber is trying to be the “one stop shop” for any transportation needs – meaning that people who may not have used Uber before will start to use the app for the purpose of seeing all transportation options at once. This news came not long after the company also has been ramping up efforts in e-bikes and scooters. Or, the new “Uber Transit” feature might also be a way for the company to get on the good side of local governments cracking down on rideshare regulations.

Right now, the feature is only available in Denver, Colorado. Uber published that they will be rolling out the feature to more cities in the near future.