Uber brings ride booking option via WhatsApp in India

New Delhi: In a first for the US ride-hailing giant and an expansion of WhatsApp's capabilities in the country, Uber is rolling out a new service in India that gives users the option to book a ride via its official Uber WhatsApp Chatbot.

With this integration, riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app.

The new service is first available in Lucknow, and it will roll out to more cities in the future. As per reports, WhatsApp users will be able to book rides, and get trip receipts through the messaging app.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for all Indians to take an Uber trip. We are thrilled at this global-first integration for Uber, and look forward to rolling it out across India," IANS quoted Nandini Maheshwari, Senior Director, Business Development, Uber APAC as saying

Built on WhatsApp Business Platform, the partnership will expand access to Uber's mobility services in one of the company's largest international markets.

Currently, the option to book a ride via WhatsApp will only be available in English but it will be expanded to other Indian languages soon.

Abhijit Bose, Head of WhatsApp India added that the Uber experience on WhatsApp is simple, familiar, and relatable for users and has the potential to accelerate adoption of Uber with a new category of riders in India.

WhatsApp users can book an Uber ride through three simple ways: messaging to Uber's business account number; scanning a QR code; or clicking a link directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat.

They will be asked to provide pickup and drop off locations and users will receive upfront fare information and the driver's expected time of arrival.

"Riders get the same safety features and insurance protections as those who book trips via the Uber app directly," the company said.

Safety features and insurance protections are unchanged between rides booked on Uber or WhatsApp, the companies said. Driver name, license plate and location en route to pickup will all be included in the WhatsApp booking information. Drivers themselves will notice no difference between rides booked on the different platforms.

If the user selects the "emergency" option while on the trip, they will receive an inbound call from Uber's customer support team. Uber riders will also have access to its safety line number to call, if needed, until 30 mins after the trip ends.