Uber, the international smart phone application that uses technological innovation to connect passengers with nearby drivers, launches in Riyadh. The app allows users to request a private car to arrive within minutes and take them to any destination in Riyadh.
The app, already localized to over 110 cities worldwide, works with local rental car and limousine companies to provide drivers with the technology, allowing for a more reliable and efficient mode of transportation for Riyadh residents and visitors. All users need to do is download the app and input their credit card details. At the click of a button, a BMW 5 series or a Luxury SUV shows up to their location. The official launch follows a two-month period in which the technology was tested throughout Riyadh, and was met with extremely positive reviews by the Saudi public.To mark the occasion, Saudi comedian MazroueMazroue agreed to being a driver for the day to surprise some of the male Uber users.
KarimKhattar, General Manager for Uber Riyadh, stated, “Uber is evolving the way the world moves in cities. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, and provide safer and more reliable transportation options for the public. Riyadh is a vibrant market with an advanced technological infrastructure so it made sense to bring our platform here. We look forward to growing our number of partners throughout the city and the country.
Key to the Uber technology is the unprecedented safety and accountability features built into the app. Once a user makes a request, he or she is able to see the name, photo and license plate of the driver that will be picking him or her up as well as see where exactly they are located on a map. Riders can also share their route and estimated time of arrival with family and friends, and even rate the driver following the ride.
Another added value to the technological service is the fact that all transactions are cashless, making the payment method both seamless and convenient. When first downloading the app, users are prompted to input their credit card details. This is then safely stored on the user’s personal profile, and credited once the ride is complete. There is absolutely no cash used in the process, and all personal banking details are kept confidential.
The service first kicked-off in San Francisco in 2010, and is today one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world. In the Middle East, Uber commenced operations in Dubai in September 2013 and is now available in 5 cities including Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Jeddah with plans to continue expanding to other Middle Eastern cities. The move into the Riyadh market follows a huge push for investment in the national technology industry.