Key Takeaways
- Uber Transit integrates public transport options into the Uber app for convenience.
- Access real-time public transport routes and ticket purchases within the app.
- Features include transport comparison and multi-modal journey planning.
- Launched in Denver 2019, now expanded to cities like Boston, Chicago, Sydney.
What is Uber Transit?
Uber Transit is a new feature within the Uber app designed to streamline your travel planning and mobility services. The service goes beyond standard ride-hailing services by partnering with various public transit agencies.
Uber Transit introduces a range of innovative technologies to improve rider experience by allowing you to find and compare various public transport options alongside Uber’s standard rideshare options.
This feature emerged from Uber’s desire to improve urban mobility by integrating technology into existing services.
The combination of established mobility options and the journey planning features of the Uber app makes public transit significantly smoother.
Through Uber Transit, you can access real-time information on public transport routes, schedules, and even purchase tickets.
The best part about this is that you do all this within the familiar Uber app. In other words, it’s as straightforward and convenient as booking an UberX.
Uber launched this service in 2019, starting with Denver, Colorado. In 2020, Uber Transit expanded its coverage to serve more regions like Boston and Chicago as well as international cities like Sydney and London.
How Uber Transit Works
Uber Transit is a two-sided offering from Uber that aims to improve public transportation. For riders, Uber Transit integrates public transportation options into the regular Uber app.
For cities and public transit agencies, Uber Transit offers technological enhancement via a partnership program.
Cities can leverage Uber’s ride-sharing network to address gaps in their public transportation coverage.
The result here is a win-win-win situation for all parties, whether it’s Uber, public transport, or users. Here’s an in-depth look at how this service works:
Accessing Uber Transit
Uber integrated its Transit service so that it goes in line with its other services on the app. This means no learning curves or confusing steps while planning your trips.
To access Uber Transit and its features, you simply need to launch the Uber app on your smartphone as usual.
After that, you need to enter your desired destination just like requesting an Uber ride (through the “Where to?” section.)
After choosing your destination, you’ll scroll through the ride options until you find an option labeled “Transit”. The option is usually near the bottom and has a train on its icon to represent public transportation.
Planning Your Trip
After entering your destination and choosing the Transit option in your Uber app, you’ll find a wide range of transportation options to choose from.
The service covers all kinds of public transport services, such as buses, trains, subways, on-demand options, and more. This allows you to plan your trip easily using one or more transit services.
Keep in mind that the transit rides you find in the app are limited to what Uber partners with, so it’s not necessarily a full coverage of the entire public transport network.
Currently, Uber Transit has more than 70 public transport partners, including major options like:
- Regional Transportation District
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit
- Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria
- Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, and many more
Comparing and Choosing Options
Another advantage of Uber Transit is that it allows you to compare and choose from all the options it has.
Uber Transit connects to real-time data feeds that it pulls from its partner public transportation agencies.
This data typically includes scheduled arrival and departure times for various means of transport, including buses, trains, etc.
It also includes live location updates of vehicles so you can keep track of them and plan accordingly.
For each option, the app will also calculate the estimated arrival time by considering travel times between stops and potential delays due to traffic.
The app should also display the estimated fare for each journey based on the public transportation agency’s fare structure.
With this information at hand, you’ll be able to make an informed decision based on your priorities and preferences.
For example, you can plan your trips so that they cost you the least amount of money or optimize your trip to have the lowest carbon footprint.
How Much Does Uber Transit Cost?
Uber Transit is a two-part system, as it offers both journey planning and public transit fare payment.
Journey Planning
According to Uber, the trip planning and scheduling part is completely free. This includes all the services of Uber Transit, such as checking routes, getting fare estimates, or receiving real-time updates.
You don’t need to pay any extra fees or a monthly subscription to enjoy any of these benefits for buses, trains, or subways.
Fare Payments and Ticket Purchases
Besides planning, Uber Transit allows you to purchase transit tickets through the app and save the transit ticket directly on the app.
The good news is that this service comes at no extra cost, which can save you a lot of time, as you don’t have to buy tickets yourself or stand in long lines.
While Uber Transit services are free, the public transport rides themselves aren’t. When you use public transportation, you’ll pay the standard fare the transit agency charges.
Unique Features of Uber Transit
Although Uber Transit shows up among Uber’s ride options, it’s different from other services the app provides.
The integration with public transport lets you plan your entire journey without needing to switch between apps.
You also get step-by-step route navigation that covers different means of transport, including the walking distance you need to cover.
The real-time updates also mean that you get the most up-to-date information about your trip, so you can make the right decisions. This also includes alerts for any disruptions or delays on your route due to traffic.
Also, Purchasing public transport tickets directly through the app eliminates the need to stand in lines or use additional apps.
However, you should remember that these services might vary from one location to another, depending on the nature of the partnership that Uber has with the local transit authority.
How to Use Uber Transit: A High-Level Guide
If you’re interested in using Uber Transit, this guide will walk you through every step of the process to make your first successful ride using the service.
Checking the Availability of the Service
First, you need to ensure that Uber Transit is available where you live. Luckily, the option appears automatically in your app if it’s available, so you don’t need to check it manually.
In some cases, you may need to update your Uber app for the service to show up, so consider that if you don’t find the app.
Plan Your Journey
After launching your Uber app, you need to book a ride exactly like you do with regular service. Enter your location and where you want to go and proceed to the ride options. The Transit option should appear as one of the options.
After choosing it, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the different means of transport you need to take to reach your destination. This may include one or transit options, depending on trip details.
Each route will show estimated travel time, fares, and real-time arrival information for the next upcoming service. Tap on a route for additional information about stops and timings.
Fare Payment
After choosing the best transit option, you can also pay for public transit tickets through the app.
However, this option is only available in some cities. You can then follow the in-app directions to start your trip.
Is Uber Transit Worth It? An Analysis
Generally speaking, Uber Transit is a great service. It integrates seamlessly into the Uber ecosystem and makes it much easier to plan your public transit rides.
It provides you with a wide range of helpful features like transit journey planning and even paying directly for your tickets. This can save you a lot of time.
Additionally, the service comes at no extra costs than the standard tickets or ride fares, so it can save you a lot of money considering how public transport is significantly cheaper than Uber rides.
For instance, the service is particularly helpful in cities with major congestion or limited parking areas. It’s also perfect for long rides that cost a hefty sum with regular Uber ride options like UberX.
Additionally, if you’re a tourist with little to no information about the local transit system, Uber Transit will make it a lot easier to navigate your route.
Of course, the main drawback of this service is its limited coverage, as it’s only available in a handful of cities around the world. However, the service is most likely coming to more locations in the near future.
Final Thoughts
Uber Transit is an excellent way to bridge the gap between ride-hailing and public transportation.
The service offers a convenient, accessible, and potentially cost-saving way to navigate various cities, even with little knowledge about its public transit system.
This makes it a game-changing option for a wide range of users, including commuters, tourists, and budget travelers.
However, you still need to consider your transportation needs and urban mobility goals before incorporating Uber Transit, as it may take longer to reach your destination and includes on-foot time.
