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Uber Boat service launched for Tube-weary Londoners

Londoners can now board an Uber at 23 piers across the city - Uber
Londoners can now board an Uber at 23 piers across the city - Uber

Those wary of venturing onto London’s Tube network take heed: Uber has teamed up with Thames Clippers to launch a new service, Uber Boat.

Starting today (August 3), the new rides are accessed through Uber’s app, with tickets booked and paid for in advance. QR technology is then used during boarding to create a contact-free journey.

Departures are currently from 23 piers across London, and a fleet of 20 Thames Clippers boats are being used.

It was possible to travel via boat across London prior to Uber’s new initiative, of course. Thames Clippers has contactless Oyster card points where users can touch in and out, and its own ticketing app.

Thames Clippers has said that over 4.3 million people already used the Thames for commuting and leisure trips via the company. The launch of Uber’s own service will hopefully encourage even more to do so, as well as cover the riverboats in Uber branding.

“As Londoners begin to head back to work and move safely across the city, they will now be able to book travel on both the river and road through the Uber app,” said Jamie Heywood, Uber's regional general manager for northern and eastern Europe.

Sustainability was a key driver behind the initiative, he added. “We must ensure that everyone does not return to their cars in response to the crisis, so our vision is to end private car ownership in favour of shared, electric vehicles, as well as making greater use of the river network for urban mobility.”

This isn’t the first time Uber has attempted to expand beyond road travel. In 2017, the company announced plans for Uber Air – a network of flying taxis. In 2019, ot also launched a submarine service – scUber – at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. For four weeks, across selected Queensland cities, users could pay roughly £790 per person for a one-hour round-trip ride along the coral reef.

Uber has previously had difficulties in London due to repeated licensing issues.

Transport for London (TfL) revoked the firm’s private hire licence in London back in 2017, citing safety concerns. Uber continued operating, however, and was granted a 15-month licence following an appeal.

But its future on London’s roads is still in doubt. The company’s application for another new licence in late 2019 was refused by TfL after at least 14,000 trips were made with drivers who were not the ones shown on the app. An appeal against the decision is still ongoing.

Four more alternatives to buses and the Tube

E-scooters were made legal this July - getty
E-scooters were made legal this July - getty

Santander Cycles

Dubbed ‘Boris Bikes’ by most people in London, the addition of bike rental points across the city may be the best thing Prime Minister Boris Johnson did during his tenure as London’s Mayor. Officially called ‘Santander Cycles’, it costs £2 for unlimited journeys of up to 30 minutes within a 24-hour period. Longer journeys cost £2 per additional half hour. See santandercycles.co.uk.

Electric scooters

Believe it or not, electric scooters have only been allowed on public pavements since July. A 12-month trial, to aid social distancing while getting around the city, is limited to rental scooters, like those from Fat Llama, to ensure all riders are insured and have a full or provisional driving, moped or motorcycle licence. Road use is still banned. See fatllama.com

Bolt

Over the last year or so, a number of Uber alternatives have launched in London. Bolt, an Estonian ride-hailing firm, launched last year and claims to be carbon neutral. Rides have a £2.50 base fare, and you’re charged £1.25 per mile and £0.15 per minute. See bolt.eu.

ViaVan

This collaboration between start-up Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans launched in 2018, and primarily focuses on car pools. Customers share their rides with others heading in the same direction, getting collected from set pick-up points. Private rides are available. See viavan.com.