Uber launches Uber Freight

Uber has launched Uber Freight. Uber Freight is an app that matches trucking companies with loads to haul.

According to Uber in a blog post, “Truck drivers are the heart of the American economy. They drive about 10%of all miles and haul a whopping 14 billion tons of freight every year. That averages out to almost 250 pounds of goods for each American every single day. Truck drivers take on a great risk to make sure we get the products we need, from the produce in our local supermarket to the clothes at our favourite stores. But running a trucking business isn’t easy.”

Also according to May 2016 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 9.73 million workers, transportation and material moving is the fourth-largest employment group in the U.S.

So Uber is trying to make it easy with Uber Freight. Uber Freight aims to empower truck drivers and small trucking companies to run and grow their business.

Vetted users download the app, search for a load, and simply tap to book it. Uber sends a rate confirmation within seconds, eliminating a common anxiety in trucking about whether or not the load is really confirmed. Uber says “What used to take several hours and multiple phone calls can now be achieved with the touch of a button.”

Uber Freight says it is also committed to paying within a few days, fee-free, for every single load. When things don’t go as planned or drivers have to wait longer than expected, Uber pays for that too. These “accessorial” rates are published right on their blog and website.

The plan is in line with Uber’s acquisition of Otto, a self-driving trucking company that Uber bought in July for $650 million.

Uber Freight is available for Android and iOS.