INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
US ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Ltd said on Thursday it would roll out a feature that will allow users in India to book rides via
messaging service WhatsApp
The move could help Uber tap into the more than 500 million user base of Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp in India."Starting this week, we are
post.Uber has been operating in the country for the past eight years and is now available in 100 cities
"Riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app
Everything from user registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt will be managed within the WhatsApp chat interface," Uber
added.WhatsApp users can book a ride through either messaging to Uber's business account number, scanning a barcode, or clicking a link
directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat.Riders will get the same safety features and insurance protections as those who book trips via the
Uber app directly, the company said
The WhatsApp chat flow will inform the user about safety guidelines, including how to contact Uber in case of emergencies.The feature will
initially be launched in Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, and then expanded to other locations by next
year.The service will be available in English, Uber said, adding that Indian languages will be included in the near future.
