How Uber’s Latest Idea Could Change Mass Transit

Uber’s latest service, UberHop, will begin its pilot program in Seattle this Thursday with a focus on commuters.

uberCOMMUTE, meanwhile, is seeking to make an Uber driver out of everyone in Chicago by enabling anyone to use the platform to pick up passengers during commuting hours of 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday.

Uber has pursued this agenda with previous products: When Uber first introduced UberPool in August 2014 it was as a “bold social experiment” to reduce “the number of cars on the road, congestion in cities, pollution, parking challenges”.

Uber is also piloting its Commute feature in Chicago. The rider will be expected to walk a little ways to the pick-up location, as well as to their final destination from the drop-off location. Now, Uber is looking more-and-more like a bus.

Uber Seattle GM Brooke Steger told GeekWire that for now, uberHOP will operate on three routes from 7 a.m to 10 a.m and 4 p.m.to 7 p.m.: Capitol Hill to downtown, Fremont to downtown, and Ballard to South Lake Union. uberHOP rides will also operate reverse routes, meaning downtown to Capitol Hill, downtown to Fremont, and South Lake Union to Ballard.

In addition to UberHOP, the ride-share service is proving that it’s one step closer to total transportation domination by trying out another service in the Chicago-area called UberCOMMUTE, which will work like UberPOOL except that, instead of getting an Uber driver, riders will be paired with another commuter who’s willing to share his ride – basically a standard carpool.

“Investment in mass transit is an important part of the solution”, said the company in an official announcement. “Over time, we can create credible alternatives to vehicle ownership”. Half of Uber rides in San Francisco are through the Pool feature. Leaders like New York Mayor Bill de Blasio have pushed back against Uber’s claims, blaming the company for worsening traffic. In June, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick called UberPool a “real game-changer” during his five-year anniversary speech.

On the other hand, UberCommute is meant for both drivers and riders. With casual carpools, commuters line up at prearranged points. Drivers with a seat to spare switch on the app and pair up with someone headed in the same direction. Passengers who want to roll with uberCOMMUTE need to select uberPOOL and then choose the “commuters” option. By using technology we can make this process more convenient, more reliable and safer.