Uber introduces bus service in Egypt

8336 Uber has launched its Uber Bus service in Egypt as part of a strategy to provide commuters living in Cairo with an affordable transportation option.

The service can be accessed via Uber’s standard app. Uber groups passengers travelling in the same direction to make the service more affordable and reduce the number of stops per trip.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, says: “We are committed to broadening access to the Uber platform with a range of low-cost options that will move more people around town and help cities tackle issues such as congestion.”

From next year, riders with older Android phones and limited data plans will be able to request journeys via the Uber Lite app, which is already being tested in parts of the region.

Uber has been testing its bus service since September to ensure that it is safe for users. Initially, it will operate in Nasr City, Heliopolis, Greater Downtown, and Mohandeseen, and will expand across Cairo in coming months.

The bus service is the latest addition to the Uber app in Egypt, which currently includes the UberX, Select and Scooter offerings.

In August, Uber confirmed its intention to focus on its electric scooter and bike <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external businessfalsehttp://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/uber-to-redirect-focus-to-bikes-and-electric-scooters/falsefalse%> as it believes these modes of transport are better-suited to inner city travel.