The Uber ride-sharing company has launched its Uber Shuttle bus service on two routes in Kyiv, the CFTS portal reports.
The company will operate Mercedes-Benz minibuses capable of accommodating 18 passengers on the routes. All the seats will be equipped with seat belts.
Trips can be booked in the Uber app, in which bus stops are also indicated.
Uber’s regional manager for Britain and Northern and Eastern Europe Jamie Haywood said at a press conference in Kyiv that the first two test routes would be available in the app from Tuesday, May 14. According to him, prices will depend on distance, but they will be 75% lower than similar taxi rides.
Prices per trip are expected to range from UAH 15 to 30. Payment can be made through the app or in cash.
“The payment system will not be per kilometer. There will be several price levels, which will vary by distance. The list of prices – from UAH 15 to UAH 30 – will be published on the Uber website. That is, the shortest route will cost UAH 15 and the longest UAH 30,” said Heorhii Sokolianskyi, the head of Uber development in Central and Eastern Europe.
According to him, Kyiv was selected for the pilot project for testing the service before its implementation in other European cities.
The test routes are Vynohradar – Shevchenkivskyi district (100, Pravdy Avenue, Peremohy Square); Darnytsia – Lybedska (10, Kaunasska St. – Lybedska subway station). Uber’s shuttle buses will operate on the selected routes from 07:00 to 21:00 at 15-minute intervals.
According to Kyiv’s Mayor Vladimir Klitschko, Uber plans to launch 50 shuttle buses in Kyiv by the end of August.
