More than a million Londoners have opted to share their Uber journey using the company's UberPool service in the six months since it was launched.
The service, which operates in central London as well as Heathrow Airport, enables passengers to save money by turning the usual Uber into a minibus service by matching people heading in the same direction. It also ensures drivers earn more than if they were to carry just one passenger through longer journeys and by increasing the number of people travelling in the car.
But will it ever be available in South Africa? Approached for comment an Uber SA spokesperson told us: "We are looking at the possibility and feasibility of launching UberPool but there are no firm plans at this time. We are focussing on our current products and ensuring that we are connecting riders and drivers seamlessly."
Reducing pollution
Uber claims the growth of these shared trips has helped to reduce air pollution in London by saving more than 1.12 million driving kilometres, more than 50 000 litres of petrol and 124 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
"The number of people trying UberPool is growing each week and we want more Londoners to leave their own car at home and share an Uber to get from A to B instead," said Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK.
The growth of UberPool has partially answered accusations that the company's arrival in London has contributed to congestion and worsened air pollution, but is has also worked well for the company. Globally, 20 percent of Uber journeys are now done via UberPool, the company said in May.
This means that if the company is sacrificing margin on individual journeys - UberPool fares are 25 percent cheaper than the typical Uber journey - it is potentially increasing the overall number of rides, giving it a larger economy of scale.
The Independent