It’s only a pilot program and not even in Canada - yet. But Uber’s latest move may sound an alarm for travel retail.
The app has reportedly taken another giant leap towards transitioning from ride-sharing to end-to-end travel bookings.
In the U.K. starting this summer, Uber says users will be able to book intercity bus and train tickets - including Eurostar trips through the Channel Tunnel - and rental cars through the app. Flights and hotels will follow before the end of the year.
Uber isn’t selling the tickets directly. It’s partnering with travel suppliers, integrating their software into its platform.
"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," said Uber UK GM Jamie Heywood, who says the ultimate goal is for Uber to provide “a seamless door-to-door travel experience."
The U.K. is Uber’s #2 market after the U.S., so this rollout is no small potatoes for the tech company.
In fact, the “super app” approach was clearly foreshadowed by the company’s current CEO, who came from Expedia. When Dara Khosrowshahi joined Uber, he said ride-sharing would be less than half of its business within a decade, with Uber transforming into the "Amazon of transportation.”
The news of Uber’s move into travel ticket booking follows two other significant developments in the space that should have travel retailers watching closely.
Recently, the battle between taxi companies and Uber ended in NYC, when it announced its users would now be able to book Yellow Cab taxis through its app. That’s similar to service already available in San Francisco, and may signal the future burying of the hatchet between taxis and Uber, as well as providing more ride inventory through a single platform.
Uber is even getting into the experience booking space. Last month, it launched Uber Explore. With partners that include Yelp, Uber offers users the ability to book event tickets and even make restaurant reservations.
