Uber Gets Licence From Delhi Transport Department To Operate Bus Services

Ride-hailing major Uber has received the licence from the Delhi Transport Department to operate bus services in the national capital.

As per an ET report, Uber has been granted the licence under the Delhi government’s app-based premium bus aggregator scheme, notified in November last year. 

With this, the company can start offering bus shuttle services in Delhi.

As per the Uber app, the company is currently offering over 50 shuttle routes in Delhi NCR.

Sources at Uber has confirmed the development to Inc42. However, the company did not respond to Inc42’s queries on the issue.

This comes a month after Uber unveiled its subscription-based models for auto drivers.

Currently, Uber provides ride-hailing services via four-wheelers, auto rickshaws, two-wheeler-taxis and hyperlocal deliveries.

Uber has announced that users will now have the option to book bus rides along with other mobility services through its app. India becomes the second country, after Egypt, where Uber operates buses as part of its Uber Shuttle service. Currently, Uber Shuttle operates in Kolkata under an MoU with the West Bengal government. The company conducted a pilot program for Uber Shuttle in Delhi starting last year.

According to a report by ET, Uber aims to operate buses on routes connecting business districts with residential areas, spanning across all parts of Delhi. Each bus will accommodate between 19 to 50 passengers and will be managed by local fleet partners.

“We are committed to building a business which serves the mobility needs of every Indian – buses are an important addition to our available products. After a successful pilot where we’ve seen a strong demand for buses, we are excited to formally bring the magic of Uber rides to buses in Delhi,” Amit Deshpande, head-Uber Shuttle, India told ET.

Uber’s India arm saw its net loss widen over 58% to INR 311.3 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23) from INR 196.7 Cr in the previous fiscal, hurt by the rising expenses.

The company is standing tall at a $160 Bn market valuation.  

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