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Could Uber’s app one day include London bus and Tube data?

Posted: 11 December 2018 | | No comments yet

It has been reported that Uber is looking into data integration with public transport authorities, which would put them in direct competition with Citymapper.

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The Financial Times reported that Uber has been in contact with Transport for London (TfL) regarding the possibility of “deepening” their relationship through data integration.

It has been implied that Uber is attempting to integrate TfL’s data about bus and Tube timetables onto its app, with a long-term goal of a full journey planner and the ability to accept payments on behalf of public transport authorities.

If achieved, this would put Uber in direct competition with Citymapper, a London-based public transit app that includes bus, rail and driving directions and schedules, and is backed by venture capital firms including Index Ventures and Benchmark Capital.

Uber has declined to comment on this, but a spokesperson from TfL stated: “We’re not in discussions with Uber or anyone else about taking payments for our services through their apps, and not looking to do so in the future.”

The relationship between Uber and TfL has already had its challenges. TfL previously found Uber unfit as an operator, resulting in the ride-hailing company’s licence to be revoked. Since winning the licence back, the company has continued to operate in London, and it is expected that Uber will have launched electric bikes in the capital by 2020.

Uber has already run trials to integrate its app with public transport information in San Francisco through the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, and announced a partnership with Masabi, an app that provides mobile ticketing for public transport.