In a world where urban mobility is constantly evolving, Uber is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation by unveiling two new services designed to revolutionize travel in Spain, following the success of similar initiatives in the UK… With the introduction of Uber Trains and UberXShare, the famous transport platform is taking another step towards a smoother, greener and more economical travel experience…
Uber Trains soon available in Spain
In a new leap towards multimodality, Uber is unveiling its new “Trains” service. Thanks to its strategic partnership with Omio, users will now be able to buy train tickets directly from the Uber app. Omio, which aggregates the travel offers of major operators such as Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo, thus opens up unprecedented access to a multitude of rail routes throughout the country. This integration will cover long and medium-distance journeys at competitive fares. Uber customers will even be entitled to a 10% discount on Uber and UberEats. The American giant has indicated that this new service will be operational throughout Spain by the end of June at the latest.
The ticket price is the same as if purchased elsewhere, but the user will receive a 10% discount for use with Uber and Uber Eats.
Felipe Fernández Aramburu, Uber’s Managing Director for Spain and Portugal.
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UberXShare, sharing journeys for more sustainable mobility
In addition to the Trains service, Uber is launching UberXShare in a bid to promote sustainability and optimise resources. This car-sharing service, which differs from BlablaCar, will enable users to share their journeys with other passengers on similar routes. The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint while offering a cost-effective alternative to individual car journeys. With a potential 30% reduction in the total cost of a journey, UberXShare reflects Uber’s ongoing commitment to greener, more efficient mobility. The service will only be available in Madrid for any journey starting or ending within the M40 boundary. However, it is expected to arrive in Andalusia at a later date.
Blablacar is used more for travel between CCAA (autonomous communities) and UberXShare is for the whole city. But we share the same challenge: to have fewer cars and more people on board!
Felipe Fernández Aramburu
Défis réglementaires et perspectives futures
Despite these advances, Uber faces regulatory challenges in its expansion across Spain. Legal restrictions are hindering the deployment of certain services in other cities… However, the company remains open to exploring new opportunities for expansion, while remaining compliant with local regulations. While some regions, such as the Community of Madrid, have shown support for innovation in the mobility sector, other regions such as Catalonia have adopted more restrictive policies… This highlights the need for ongoing dialogue between the authorities and players in the sector to foster a more dynamic and inclusive mobility ecosystem. Uber’s new services in Spain reflect a desire to push back the boundaries of urban mobility and offer innovative solutions tailored to the changing needs of consumers.
