uberPOOL launches in Melbourne’s inner suburbs

A MUCH-awaited Uber feature will splash into Melbourne next week, with the rideshare app launching a service which aims to ease road congestion and save commuters cash — but there’s a catch.

Uber is launching its carpool service in Melbourne. Stock image

UBER hopes to ease road congestion with the launch of its carpooling service in Melbourne next week.

Users will be able to split the cost of trips when uberPOOL splashes down in and around the CBD on Monday before the service is expanded across the suburbs.

UBER’S NEW BID TO CHANGE OUR TRAVEL

Uber Victorian state manager Lucas Groeneveld, 33, said the company hoped to reduce the number of the cars on the road.

“Almost three-quarters of Melburnians still use a private vehicle to get to work … so we’re really wanting to better use the cars that are out there today and put more people into fewer cars,” he said.

“There are 800,000 people using Uber in Melbourne and 20,000 drivers.

“It really is that scale that has allowed us to launch uberPOOL in Melbourne.”

uberPOOL’s launch map only covers a limited area. Picture: Supplied

Users will be able to select the option within their existing app, before being directed to walk to a location where a driver and fellow customers will collect them.

Trips could cost as little as half the price of an uberX trip, depending on how many people were sharing the same ride.

“When they are wanting to save a bit of extra cash, that’s when they can make the decision … to share that drive with other riders,” Mr Groeneveld said.

“We have community guidelines for riders and drivers … and the heart of that is about respect. It’s about common sense.”

While the option will only be available towards the centre of the city initially, reaching as far as Coburg, Hawthorn, Balaclava and Footscray, Uber plans to expand the rollout in the future.

“We’ll be launching with that coverage but looking to expand that as soon as possible, as soon as we are comfortable with the level of service,” he said.

The existing uberX, uberXL and SELECT options will remain.

UBER JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER

Richmond resident Lizzie Norman, 31, does not own a car and uses Uber to get around at night and to and from work at Southbank.

“Having the ability to be able to share a short ride, like if I was running late to work, would definitely make me feel less guilty about getting an Uber,” she said.

“It would mean it was cheaper and more environmentally friendly.”

The carpooling service has already been adopted in cities around the world and has been operating in Sydney since early April.

More than 60,000 Sydneysiders have already tried the service.

“Feedback from both riders and drivers has been really strong,” Uber’s Mr Groeneveld said.

“The vast majority of trips, from both the riders and the drivers, have received five-star ratings.”

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