Look Out Lyft, Uber Is Getting Serious About Ride-Sharing With UberPOP In Paris


Urban transportation company Uber just announced a brand new offering for Paris called UberPOP — and it looks a lot like Lyft. It’s a cheaper ride-sharing service built right into the Uber app. Everybody can become a driver.


While UberX is already available in Paris, it is more or less similar to the traditional Uber offering with mid-range black cars (think Audi A4 and Peugeot 508). If you want a top-of-the-line Mercedes and Audi car, you need to order an Uber.


In other words, when you order and UberX, you still get luxurious cars as the French law doesn’t allow black car drivers to drive small cars. UberX is still restricted to professional drivers in Paris — the service is a bit cheaper, but not cheap.


Instead of recruiting non-professional UberX drivers like in California, and forcing them to use big cars in Paris like other UberX drivers, the company chose to create a brand new service, UberPOP. This way, the company can allow smaller cars and cut prices again.


For example, to go from Opéra to Hôtel de Ville, you will pay €7 with UberPOP instead of €10 with UberX and €14 with Uber — UberPOP is 30 percent cheaper than UberX in this case. The service will be available tomorrow.


UberPOP might be a real-world test for other cities, including in the U.S. While France is a very particular market because of its legislation, separating ride-sharing drivers who don’t have a taxi or limo license from professional drivers from the UberX program might make things clearer for the customer and allow the company to cut prices again.


To become a driver, you will have to be at least 21 with a 3-year-old driver’s license. You bring your own car. You also must pass a background check. As a customer, you can expect a Volkswagen Polo or a Citroën C3 (pictured above) and bottled water. Passengers are encouraged to sit up front. It remains to be seen whether Uber can keep the same service quality with ride-sharing drivers.


Uber is available in two cities in France: Paris and Lyon. But London and Paris are the two biggest markets in the world for the company if you exclude the U.S. As Lyft, Sidecar and other ride-sharing alternatives are only available in the U.S., Uber takes great pleasure in saying that it is the first company to provide a ride-sharing offering outside of the U.S. It’s probably not 100 percent true as there are small local competitors.


The news comes after a few weeks of intense protests against Uber, LeCab, Chauffeur-privé and other urban transportation services. First, these services are now supposed to wait 15 minutes in France before letting a customer in the car. From first-hand experience, Uber doesn’t currently comply with the new law.


Moreover, protesting taxi drivers recently attacked multiple black cars near the airport. Cab drivers still think that the 15-minute rule is not enough. They want a 30-minute delay, minimum fares of $82 (€60) and a driver recruitment ban.


With UberPOP, it’s unclear whether the service will take on and be able to recruit enough drivers. But there is one thing for sure, cab drivers won’t be happy.


Screen Shot 2014-02-04 at 15.14.02

Screen Shot 2014-02-04 at 15.14.30


(Photo credit: InSapphoWeTrust)






via TechCrunch http://ift.tt/1kLFNYi

16 comments:

William Jessie said...

Thanks for sharing the best information and suggestions, it is very nice and very useful to us. I appreciate the work that you have shared in this post. Keep sharing these types of articles here.airport chauffeur melbourne

Edmonton Limo Company said...

I'm really inspired together with your writing skills and also with the layout for your weblog. Thanks for sharing this blog here. Airport Limo Edmonton

Hammad Khan said...

The information you have shared here about car is really informative as it contains some great knowledge which is very helpful for me. Thanks for posting it. Keep it up. rent a car with driver in dubai

southeastluxury said...

South East Luxury our focus is to make your wedding day considerably more extravagant and memorable with our luxury wedding chauffeurs Melbourne. With an extensive experience in wedding services which have been custom fitted to fit your needs flawlessly, you can unwind and enjoy the precious moments that our luxury vehicles bring to the table.

Desuntechnology said...

You have given inconceivable substance here. I'm glad to find this post as I found stacks of critical data in your article. Appreciation for sharing an article like this.On-Demand Cab Booking App Clone

Waseem said...

I appreciate you sharing this insightful information. I enjoy it. affordable luxury car ride in Dubai

Jewellery said...

With strong reasoning and thorough justification, you quickly respond to this query. high quality branded jewellery

Services121 said...

Autohaus are a Minehead based Campervan conversion company. We product a wide range of Campervan models for our Customers all across the UK.if you are Looking for MANUFACTURER OF CAMPERVANS Visit Website For More Details

Services121 said...

We are leading suppliers of hospital vending machines across the Midlands. Browse our vending machines in hospitals online or contact us for more info! if you Looking for vending machines to buy derby
Services 24/7 Visit Website

Services121 said...

Fun Chocolate and cookery team building sessions, designed to develop creativity, capture imagination and release your staffs full potential.

chocolate heaven hertfordshire

Waseem said...

I've never been to your website weblog before. We are a team of volunteers who are involved in brand-new initiatives in the same field. Our work was made easier by the information on the website. professional content writer

Welcome to Al-Salam Bus and Van Rental services LLC in Dubai Our Fleet said...

We provide professional Bus and Van Rental Services in Dubai for all the tourist and local Dubai residents

Services121 said...

Man with a Van East London Services. It is a hive of activity, and successfully navigating it can be problematic and that is when helping2move comes into action. Take Our best Moving Services East London Services in Reliable Price 24/7

Bus rental Dubai said...

sharing service is very amazing bus rental Dubai

Waseem said...

I needed a lot of the research, and while I definitely preferred it, we'd like more information. It's usually pretty good. Protective hairstyles for healthy hair

Waseem said...

This is a really interesting post, and you've made some really good points. I think this is a really good website. It's on my itinerary to return. Natural skincare routine for glowing skin

Post a Comment