April Fowell, Tech Times 03 August 2022, 08:08 am

Uber is now testing bus and train travel options in the United Kingdom in partnership with Omio, as reported by TechCrunch.

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In this photo illustration, the Uber app is seen on an iPhone 13 Pro in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2022. - A leaked cache of confidential files from ride-sharing app Uber illustrates ethically dubious and potentially illegal tactics the company used to fuel its frenetic global expansion beginning nearly a decade ago, a joint media investigation showed Sunday.

Omio covers over 1,000 transportation providers in 37 countries, and it also has its own travel app. The Berlin-based travel app is also developing a business-to-business API to let partners access their ground transport network. They also have air and ferry travel on the app and website. However, its main focus remains to be on train and bus/coach travel.

So far, Uber is the biggest partner of Omio and is the first company to gain access to Ohio's full ticketing API. Therefore, customers can do everything within the Uber app.

Omio API Access

The partnership will enable Uber to provide international train travel to UK users. For all the trips booked through the Uber app, Omio will generate a commission that it will share with Uber via an undisclosed split. Additionally, the ride-sharing app is paying Omio to license its technology.

Omio believes that this partnership will increase customers in the UK. They also plan to add more ground transport functionality in phases with a basic feature that has been launched and built out in the coming months.

Earlier this year, Uber announced that they plan to add travel booking via flights, trains, and more in the UK as part of its expansion. It aims to provide a "seamless door-to-door experience," as reported by The Financial Times.

This new feature will allow customers to book their train, flight, and Uber within the app via the software integration with airlines, inter-city bus and rail operators, and car rental companies, according to CNBC.

Also read: Uber and Lyft Drop Face Mask Requirements on Ride Sharing, As Per CDC

UK is the Largest Market Outside the US

Expansion to the UK is a big step as Uber tapped into a bigger market outside the US. Also, later this year, the ride-hailing app plans to incorporate hotels by integrating leading partners into the app for a seamless door-to-door experience.

According to CEO Dara Khosroshahi, the app strategy isn't new. Their goal is to make Uber the "Amazon of transportation," as per Engadget.

Before the global pandemic, 15 percent of Uber trips were higher-margin rides to or from airports. And now that COVID is behind, this big push into transportation models is Uber sending a message that they will continue to grow in the coming years.

The company also announced early this year that it would allow New York City users to book Yellow Cab taxis via the app, and customers will only pay the same as they would when they get an Uber X ride.

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Written by April Fowell