Uber is working on its ambition to be a one-stop travel “super app” to cater for planes, trains, buses and rental cars. The mobility as a service provider said on Wednesday that it is adding trains, buses, planes and car rentals to its U.K. app this year.
This will serve as a pilot test that could be expanded to other countries at a later date if it goes well.
The tech company says it will not provide these travel services, but will allow users to book for the services through its app following software integrations with platforms that sell tickets. It has started talking with existing travel-booking services about these integrations.
Uber said the integrations will help to boost app usage among its users in the U.K, who also have the choice of using apps like Bolt and Free Now.
According to Jamie Heywood, Uber’s UK CEO in a statement, Uber hopes to become “a one-stop-shop for all your travel needs.”
“You have been able to book rides, bikes, boat services and scooters on the Uber app for a number of years, so adding trains and coaches is a natural progression,” he said.
He added: “Later this year we plan to incorporate flights, and in the future hotels, by integrating leading partners into the Uber app to create a seamless door-to-door travel experience.”
This is coming after a recent win for the company where it was granted a 30-month license to operate private hire vehicles in London after several years of battling to legally function in the city.
Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, actually started talking about Uber becoming a platform for a wider range of mobility options way back in 2018, a year after he was appointed chief executive. However, when the pandemic halted the travel and transport industry, Uber refocused on expanding its food delivery business.
