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The Korea Herald
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THE INVESTOR
March 29, 2024

Mobile & Internet

UberShare makes global debut in Korea

  • PUBLISHED :September 21, 2017 - 15:13
  • UPDATED :September 21, 2017 - 15:13
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[THE INVESTOR] Sharing economy pioneer Uber Technologies on Sept. 21 announced the global debut of its carpooling service UberShare in Seoul. 

The service allows users to share rides only during specific hours on weekdays for work, unlike its regular carpooling service UberPool that is available in other countries. This is in accordance with local transport laws, which allow use of private vehicles for commercial purposes only during peak hours to ease traffic congestion. 

“We are very excited to launch UberShare today. We bring the best of our experience globally from around 600 cities and our technologies,” said Brooks Entwistle, Uber’s chief business officer for Asia-Pacific, at the press conference in Seoul. “UberShare will help relieve congestion in the city. It will reduce carbon emissions and provide an alternative choice for commuters.”


Brooks Entwistle, Uber’s chief business officer for Asia-Pacific, speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Sept. 21.



UberShare is now available in Seoul, but only for journeys starting from Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. Uber Korea said it will extend the service to other areas in the future, but did not elaborate on a specific timeline. Users can access the service from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to midnight for commuting. 

Riders can use the service by logging on to the regular Uber app, inserting the destination and selecting the “Share” button to be matched with a driver who is headed for the place. 

The fare begins at a flat rate of 1,500 won (US$1.32), with 50 won added for each minute and additional 450 won per kilometer. So if a user wants to travel a 10-kilometer distance in 30 minutes, the rate comes to around 7,500 won, about 30 percent cheaper than regular taxis. 

Anyone with a car can sign up to become a driver by submitting related documents, such as driver’s license and insurance information, on Uber’s website. 

“Our drivers can save gas money, which they spend every day commuting. It also gives access to Uber’s technology which we believe is the best in the world for this,” said Entwistle. “And finally, it creates a community (by) connecting people headed for the same destination.”

Uber’s new app is expected to heat up competition in the small carpool segment that is shared between local startups Poolus and Luxi. 

Latecomer Uber is confident that its global network -- represented in 600 cities in 77 countries -- and up-to-date technology can lure Korean consumers. 

The tech firm has been seeking to widen its footprint in Korea, following a failed attempt to expand its flagship car-sharing service UberX in the country due to stiff resistance from local taxi drivers. Entwistle added Uber is continuing talks with Seoul City government and regulators, adding it will abide by local regulations.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)

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