Uber claims that its ride-share service UberX is faster, cheaper and more convenient than taxis. At first glance the benefits seem obvious. Riders can sign up for the mobil eapp and instantly request a ride. You can see how far away the closest driver on your phone. Enter your credit card info once and no cash is ever exchanged.FARES
Fares from North Shore to Downtown are around $11; Miller Plaza to Ferger Place are $7; and Chattanooga Airport to UTC are $16.Both new and existing users get their first five rides free up to $25 each through Nov. 27.More information at https://blog.uber.com/ChattanoogaLaunch.
ALSO READ
• Uber meets with local drivers as ride-sharing service eyes Chattanooga market• Web-based ride-sharing phenomenon may be coming to Chattanooga
The ride-sharing service Uber is launching its Chattanooga service at noon today with introductory free rides to help introduce the service to Scenic City commuters.
The San Francisco-based company has contracted with independent contract drivers who will use their own vehicles to respond to ride requests submitted through Uber's platform by travelers using their smart phones.
"Now residents and visitors can request the safest ride on the road at the touch of a button," Uber spokeswoman Kaitlin Durkosh said in an emailed statement today. "Uber connects riders with the closest available driver in town, ready to pick them up in minutes"
Durkosh said riders will see a photo of the driver, the driver's vehicle make and license plate number, and can even watch the driver on the app's map come towards them.
"There's never been a safer, more seamless way to move around the city," she said.