Uber to start motor-bike taxis, UberMOTO in Hyderabad from next month

International transportation network company Uber Tuesday announced the launch of motor-bike taxis here from next month. Hyderabad will be the third city in India, after Bengaluru and Gurgaon to get the two-wheeler taxi service. The fares for the bike-taxi will be Rs 20 for the first 3 kms and Rs 5 per km thereafter. The launch of uberMoto was announced by Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick. “It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to get around the city. And it’s great to be working with a progressive, forward thinking government like Telangana on smart mobility solutions that can help reduce congestion in urban areas,” said Kalanick after meeting Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He also attended a ceremony at T-Hub, where Uber signed an MoU with Hyderabad Metro for last-mile connectivity. Uber India President Amit Jain and Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director N. V. S. Reddy signed the MoU in the presence of state Information Technology and Municipal Administration Minister K. T. Rama Rao. “Uber has added another feather in our partnership today by launching UberMOTO to help solve the transportation and congestion problems for people in Hyderabad and I am hopeful that this service will help people in reaching their destination quickly and conveniently,” said Rama Rao. The company promises that uberMOTO offers an affordable and convenient motorcycle ride at the push of a button, through the Uber app. Riders receive driver and bike details just as they do for other Uber rides, as well as all standard safety features before, during and after the ride including GPS tracking, two-way feedback and the ability to share trip details with family and friends. Uber officials said their two-wheeler taxi service was available in the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia and Vietnam. According to them it is especially well-suited for first mile/last mile connectivity, getting people from their homes or offices to metro stations and vice-versa. Both the driver and rider of the motor-bike taxi have to wear helmets. IANS