Uber's transit deals just went to Denver – TechCrunch

After announcing their intentions to enter public transport in April, Uber is ready to start in Denver. In collaboration with the Regional Transportation District and the Transit Data Provider Moovit, residents of Denver will now be able to navigate public transport in the Uber app.

For transit, Uber serves two sets of customers: agencies and riders. Uber aims to increase efficiency, increase experience and increase equity and availability, says Uber, head of Transit David Reich, to TechCrunch over the phone.

Basically, the ability to buy tickets through the Uber app will not be available, but it is on the horizon. The in-app ticket party, in collaboration with Masabi, will be available in the coming weeks, Reich said.

"You get the full experience," Reich said. "We're trying to take the hassle out of traveling so you don't have to worry about waiting in the queue [for a ticket] and missing the train."

While Uber only launches this in Denver today, Masabi handles ticket for 30 transport agencies around the world, including Los Angeles & # 39; Metrolink, New York's MTA, London's Thames Clippers and Boston's MBTA. Uber also has a number of cities already, Reich said.

"We've talked to dozens of transit agencies around the world," he said. "Denver was super innovative, very forward-looking and was a great city to work with."

By the way, Reich continues, expecting to see Transit launch in several cities over the coming months. This is part of Uber's new efforts, led by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, to become a multi-modal transport provider. In April, when Khosrowshahi first announced Transit, he said

"Whether you use mass transit for your morning commute, take an e-bike for a midday, use Pool to take a trip home or rent a car for the weekend "Khosrowshahi said at the DC Press Event today:" We want Uber to be there with you and we want to work with cities to be part of our solution ahead. "