Overview
Sydneysiders will have the chance to cut their Uber spend in half, as the city welcomes Australia's first UberPool services next week. Set to launch on Tuesday, April 3, this is the local spin-off of Uber's USA-based Uber Express Pool, which sees multiple passengers using the ride-share cars at once, in a carpooling scenario.
And if you're happy to share your Uber with a stranger, the new service promises to shave up to half-price off your typical Uber ride, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
To start, UberPool will service an area between Bondi and Leichhardt, and from Mascot to Sydney Harbour, where the company found the biggest number of riders to be travelling along similar routes.
When using the app, UberPool riders simply request a ride, follow directions to the designated 'dynamic spot' nearby, and then hop in the car with others that are travelling a similar way and who'll help share the cost of the trip.
The savings will vary depending on when you use the service, while drivers will earn about the same as they would behind the wheel of a regular UberX service. Uber's general manager for Australia and New Zealand Henry Greenacre said that UberPool would save customers around 50 percent to start with, before levelling out at about two-thirds of the cost of a standard Uber trip.
Uber looks to be trying to win back a few customers, following stiff competition from new rival services like Ola and Taxify.
More Sydney UberPool routes are expected to be added in the coming months, with a Melbourne launch following soon.