Cab-rental company Uber has started water transport service for the first time in India. Travelers will now be able to book Shikra boats in Dal Lake of Kashmir through Uber.
Ride-hailing app Uber is going to launch its first water transport service in India. Tourists can now book Shikara in Dal Lake of Srinagar through Uber. Uber company has introduced the first service of its kind in Asia.
Uber has taken this initiative for Shikara travelers. The objective of this initiative is also to promote tourism of Kashmir’s landscape. India is the first country in Asia where Uber has started this water transport service. Uber company provides this service in some European countries including Venice, Italy.
No fee will be charged from Shikara operators
In India, the company has initially added seven Shikara boats and is planning to gradually expand it based on the number of people taking the service. Uber users will be able to book Shikara boats at the rates fixed by the government. The company spokesperson told the media that Uber is not charging any fee from its Shikara partners i.e. Shikara boat operators and the entire amount received from the customer will be given to them.
Uber Shikara rides can be booked for 1 hour between 10 am and 5 pm, with a maximum of 4 passengers allowed from Shikara Ghat No. 16. Uber Shikara rides can be booked
12 hours in advance and up to 15 days in advance. There are about 4,000 Shikara boats in Dal Lake and Uber is expected to add more Shikara partners.
Uber service will boost the business of Shikara operators as the app will provide booking facility of boats at fixed rates and this will provide relief to the tourists. Shikara operators will also get fixed income from the booking. It is expected that more and more Shikara operators will join Uber based on the response of the tourists. Let us tell you that Uber’s cab service booking is already running in Srinagar.
