Uber to provide first and last-mile connectivity for metro-users

Cab aggregator Uber has tied up with Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) for providing first and last-mile connectivity for metro-users, here on Thursday.

Initially, Uber would set up kiosks at five stations—Miyapur, JNTU, KPHB, Ameerpet and Begumpet.

It would gradually expand to the rest of 24 stations on the inaugural route of Miyapur-Ameerpet-Nagole and the rest of metro system as the lines open for commercial traffic, said Amit Jain, president, Uber India and South Asia, at the pact-signing ceremony in the presence of IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and Uber COO Barney Harford.

HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy said other agencies too would be allowed to run transport services to provide the first and last-mile connectivity.

Mr. Harford, in his opening remarks, said Uber services would be complementing the public transport system to provide seamless service to commuters. Mr. Ranjan welcomed the initiative and pointed out that the Telangana State government did not intervene in the surge pricing controversy unlike Bengaluru, Mumbai governments and others as it believed in market-driven services, hence there was no regulation as such.

Uber COO leaves press meet midway

Uber chief operating officer Barney Harford had to leave the scheduled press conference when a few cab drivers sporting black badges barged in and began arguing with the firm. They claimed that payments were being delayed and some of the drivers were in deep financial trouble.

Even as they were being ushered out, they raised slogans in favour of the drivers’ union. All this commotion led to Mr. Harford being escorted out and he did not return despite assurances made by his representatives.