As global ride hailing firm Uber continues efforts at innovating its services in line with shifting market demands and rising competition, the company has launched its first intercity bus service in Egypt. Uber said the Egyptian experiment aims to connect cities with the Uber app in what it terms ongoing efforts to adapt its technology to build a wide range of products that meet the needs of local markets. Ahmed Khalil, General Manager of Uber Egypt said that the company is honoured to witness another global product launch from Egypt, especially following the last few tense months across the country and the world. Egypt is an innovation hub and a fantastic environment for testing new products.
He added that “by leveraging Uber’s technology, the new intercity service will introduce a convenient setting to move users between governorates. As we continue to invest in the Egyptian market, we remain committed to broadening our product range to provide convenient transportation solutions within and across cities.”
The Bus intercity service will launch with roundtrip routes between Cairo and Alexandria, with plans to expand to connect other governorates over the coming months. The service operates seven days a week, with eight journeys per day. For the convenience of frequent travelers, riders can also pre-book their trips through the app. The route provides up to nine pickup and drop off points across Cairo and Alexandria. The service is available on the Uber app under ‘Bus routes’ in the menu bar, or when selecting the trip destination.
As on-trip safety remains a priority, intercity buses will follow Uber’s COVID-19 safety measures, where riders and drivers are required to wear face masks during trips, the maximum seating capacity has been reduced to encourage physical distancing between riders, and sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all the buses.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry