Uber Launching New Minibus Service in Egypt

As a way to better serve one of Uber’s fastest-growing markets, the ride-hailing service launched a new minibus service Tuesday in Egypt’s capital.

According to The Associated Press, Uber is looking to make a larger impact in the notoriously traffic-congested Cairo by enticing travelers and locals to use the minibus service to replace personal automobiles.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during a news conference in front of the Giza Pyramids the company wants to expand to one billion users, and the minibus expansion into Egypt is part of the long-term plan to add customers.

“This is a product that we built for Cairo,” Khosrowshahi said. “It will now be the most affordable way to use Uber technology to get around the city. I’m especially proud to add that Cairo is the first city globally to be rolling out Uber Bus.”

Microbuses are already prominent in Cairo, but Uber is looking to implement its safety features and feedback model to improve the popular form of transportation by allowing users to select the closest and quickest routes from convenient pickup spots around the city.

While there has been pushback to the Uber services from taxi services, the Egyptian government, locals and travelers support the company’s minibus expansion, as it provides cleaner vehicles and driver accountability.