Mumbai: Mumbai city will get to experience Uber’s service, UberBoat, way before the rest of the country. Uber app is introducing UberBoat from February 1. Through the Uber app, riders/passengers can book their speed boats from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Islands and further to Mandwa Jetty and vice versa. During the launch of the Uberboat service in Mumbai, Sanjay Bhatia, Chairman of Bombay Port Trust, who was the chief guest, said, “The Gateway of India is one place from where it will start. The real embarkation will be from the domestic cruise terminal (located in Bhaucha Dhakka).” This will take place after two months or so and it will open up new routes like JNPT, Vasai, Nerul, to name a few.
To enjoy this ride, you will have to shell out Rs 5,700 for UberBoat (six to eight seater speed boat) and Rs 9,500 for Boat XL (10 seater) for all the active routes. Speaking to reporters at the launch, Prabhjeet Singh, Head of Cities, Uber India & South Asia, said, “At present we are running a pilot, so there will be changes in price of this service over time.” This service will operate from 8 am to 5 pm, as per the norm for all boats that operate in that area. Uber, which has partnered with Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), will be using this pilot to understand the challenges in the region. MMB, CEO, Vikram Kumar, said, “We want to use more and more waterways in and around Mumbai. So, we have been working on it for the last three years to develop waterways in the region.”
Apart from Uberboat, he added, the ROPAX (roll-on/roll-off passenger) services in and around Mumbai region will change the way Mumbaikars travel. These ROPAX services, which will be launched soon, is expected to be added in the app too. Appreciating this initiative, Bhatia said that the company will have to give safety the topmost priority. He added there is a huge risk as these boats will move fast. He stressed boats are not taxis. “Boats have to be very safe and there will be a regular check by MMB and MBPT to ensure that safety measures are maintained. There have been accidents in the water and we do not want such accidents to repeat. We want Uber to be very careful about it.”
