Uber Pool: new ride-sharing service from cab giant

Cab giant Uber is to launch a car-sharing service this week to cut the cost of journeys.

Passengers will be charged a fixed fare that is 25 per cent less than uberX, currently the firm’s most affordable option in London.

They will have to select uberPOOL on the app and the discounted fee will apply whether or not they end up sharing with another person seeking to make a similar journey.

Under the new booking system going live on Friday at 4pm, a fare from Clapham Common to Shoreditch could be around £10 and from Heathrow to Soho just over £30.

Uber chiefs pledged that those sharing would not be taken “more than a few minutes out of your way”. They expect uberPOOL to catch on in London as it now accounts for more than half of all the company’s trips in San Francisco.

They said that uberPOOL had been launched in 15 cities worldwide including Chicago, New York, Washington, Paris and Shanghai and that it leads to cheaper fares, less time between trips for drivers and would also mean “fewer cars on the capital’s streets over time”.

“By getting more bums on previously empty seats this new service will help cut congestion and pollution in London,” said Jo Bertram, the company’s UK regional general manager. “We believe uberPOOL can become a credible alternative to car ownership.

“If you can press a button and get an affordable ride across town within minutes at any time of day or night, why bother to own a car at all?”

But the move is likely to further stoke the clash with London taxi drivers who fear Uber is being allowed to unfairly undercut their trade.

Uber emphasised that the sharing app would mean its drivers earn more money for every hour that they drive if they have less time idle between trips. Cars booked under uberPOOL will be limited to three passengers, and two per pick-up so customers have to say how many seats they need.

Mayor Boris Johnson has proposed restrictions on Uber aimed at ensuring a level playing field with taxis and to protect air quality.