Uber forays into auto-rickshaw services, introduces UberAUTO in India

Uber, the popular mobile-app-based transportation network, today announces its foray into the auto-rickshaw aggregation space. Called UberAUTO, the San Francisco-headquartered company is debuting it at Delhi. With UberAUTO, folks in India’s capital city will be able to book tickets via a swipe on their phone. This is the first time Uber has brought auto-rickshaws -- a transportation medium widely popular in India -- onto its platform.

The announcement comes a week after Uber was spotted testing a new auto-rickshaw aggregation service in Delhi. Users will be able to take a ride and pay the driver through the in-app UberAUTO option. As of today, it is a cash-only service. This also makes Delhi the first city where Uber is accepting direct paper cash as a mode of payment.

"When it comes to getting around Delhi, auto-rickshaws are a staple. We recognize the history and value of autos to the transportation landscape. For us, uberAUTO is another way of using technology to offer more choice, making life simpler and keep Delhi moving", the company writes on a blog post.

The taxi aggregator service has come a long way since its arrival in India with luxury sedans UberBlack in 2013. The company has since added compact cars (UberX) and hatchbacks (UberG0).

The launch of uberAUTO comes a few months after Olacabs, an Indian online cab aggregator introduced an in-app Ola Money wallet for auto-rickshaw bookings across Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Bangalore. The Bangalore-based company recently raised $315 million in funding.

Earlier this year, Uber introduced several additional security measures to its service -- including re-verification of its drivers and GPS location tracking to bolster the safety of its consumers.

As for pricing information, the taxi aggregator assures that it will follow the fare rules set out by Delhi state authorities. The service is only available within Delhi region as of now.