Uber is stepping up its game. Local players, like Swvl and non-digital long distance inter-city bus transport companies, now look threatened. The company has announced the launch of its latest intercity Bus service in Egypt, aiming to connect cities together using the Uber app. Made in Egypt, Uber has once again, chosen Egypt as its first country globally to roll out a new service. The launch comes as part of Uber’s continuous efforts to adapt its technology to build a wide range of products that meet the needs of local markets. Following the Covid-19 lockdown period, Uber is excited to continue expanding its presence in Egypt with a safe and affordable ride.
“We are honored 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. 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 broaden our product range to provide convenient transportation solutions within and across cities,” commented Ahmed Khalil, General Manager of Uber Egypt.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- In a press release, Uber said the Bus intercity service would launch with roundtrip routes between Cairo and Alexandria, with plans to expand to connect other governorates over the coming months.
- The new service operates 7 days a week, with 8 journeys per day. For the convenience of frequent travelers, Uber says riders can also pre-book their trips through the app.
- The route provides up to 9 pick up 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, maximum seating capacity has been reduced to encourage physical distancing between riders, and sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all the buses.
Different Because The Latest Launch Is Meant To Connect Cities And Not Locations Within A City
The launch of the intercity service is an extension to the current intracity service that provides daily commuting within Cairo, which was launched in December 2018 as a global-first as well, in response to President Al-Sisi’s request for an affordable mass transportation product. Following its success in Egypt, Uber Bus has expanded to Ukraine and Mexico in 2019 as a transportation solution that addresses the need for low-cost services.
With this launch, Uber looks set to take on local competitors such as Swvl. The leading global ride-sharing company in 2019 acquired one of Egypt’s leading on-demand car-hailing companies, Careem, in a $3.1 billion deal, leaving Swvl among the only remaining locally made ride-hailing startups to fight Uber for a market share.
At the last count, Swvl is now over $160 million in value, beating any known Africa-owned transport or logistics startup both in funding and rate of expansion. First in Egypt, then quickly in Kenya and Uganda, before shooting off to Pakistan, with hopes of sealing off 2020 with major expansion to the Philiphines, Bangladesh, Indonesia or Nigeria, Swvl is also expressing strong interests in confronting one of Africa’s most pressing challenges — transportation.
For more information on the Uber Bus routes and how to request, please visit this link.