Uber Technologies, Inc., commonly known as Uber, is an American mobility service provider based in San Francisco, operating in over 900 metropolitan areas worldwide. Its services include ride-hailing, food delivery, package delivery, couriers, electric bicycle and ferry transport in partnership with local operators.
Starting this week, Uber is rolling out a new service that will enable people to book their rides with the help of an official Uber Whatsapp chatbot. Earlier, people had to download the official Uber app to book a ride, but according to Uber, now everything from user registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt will be managed within the chat on WhatsApp.
Some sources have claimed that the integration, a global-first for Uber, will be rolling out in Lucknow. It will then be introduced to the users in New Delhi and will go India-wide in the next year. The Meta-owned messenger service Whatsapp has over half a billion users in India. This will prove the most extensive single user base for Uber and primarily benefit it.
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How To Book Uber Using Whatsapp?
The users of Whatsapp will be able to book an Uber ride in 3 simple ways:
- Messaging to Uber’s business account number.
- Scanning a QR code OR.
- Clicking a link directly to open Uber Whatsapp chat.
- They will then be asked to provide pickup and dropoff locations.
- Users will receive upfront fare information and the driver’s expected arrival time.
Few ways to initiate a WhatsApp chat without adding a phone number as a contact.
Features
The users can note that they will get the same safety and insurance protection while booking a ride through the Uber app.
They will be provided with the driver’s name and the driver’s license plate upon booking.
They will be able to track the driver’s location en route to the pickup point and be able to speak with the driver anonymously using a masked number.
Safety Measures
Even though Uber is launching this new feature of booking a ride through WhatsApp, it is taking accurate measures for the safety of the users.
The WhatsApp chat flow will inform the rider about safety guidelines, including reaching Uber in case of emergencies. If the user selects the “emergency” option during the ride, they will receive a call from Uber’s customer support team.
They will also have access to the safety line numbers to call the Uber team, if needed, until 30 minutes after the trip ends.
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Additional Features
Currently, this option from Uber to book a ride on WhatsApp will only be available in English. But in a short period, it will be expanded to other languages. Also, the service will be available to both new and existing users who registered with only a phone number on Uber.