Uber brings ride booking facility via WhatsApp

You can now book an Uber ride via WhatsApp. The ride-hailing platform has announced a partnership with WhatsApp, allowing users in India to book an Uber ride via WhatsApp. Users can connect with Uber’s official WhatsApp chatbot to book a ride.
“The integration is a global-first for Uber and it will make booking an Uber ride as easy as sending a WhatsApp message”, the company said in a statement. With this integration, one no longer needs to download or use the Uber app. Everything from user registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt will be managed within the WhatsApp chat interface.
The service is currently being rolled out on a pilot basis in the city of Lucknow first. It will eventually be expanded to other Indian cities soon. Also, it will be available in English language initially and is expected to expand to other Indian languages soon. Additionally, the service is available to both new and existing users on Uber.
How to book an Uber ride via WhatsApp
Essentially, there are three ways through which a user can book a Uber cab via WhatsApp. They can either send a message to Uber’s business account number or scan a QR code or click a link directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat.
Once a user chooses either of these three methods, he/she will then be asked to provide pickup and drop off locations. Users will receive upfront fare information and the driver’s expected time of arrival.
Riders booking an Uber via WhatsApp will get the same safety features and insurance protections as those who book trips via the Uber app directly. They will be informed of the name of the driver and license plate of the driver on booking; be able to track the location of the driver en route to the pickup point and be able to speak to the driver anonymously using a masked number.
The company will also inform the rider about safety guidelines via the WhatsApp chat, including how to reach Uber in case of emergencies (type help on-trip). If a user selects the “emergency” option while on the trip, he/she will receive an inbound call from Uber’s customer support team. Uber riders will also have access to its safety line number to call, if needed, until 30 mins after the trip ends.
For drivers, there will be no change in their experience with rides booked via WhatsApp.