(UTV|COLOMBO) Uber is planning a shift in emphasis from cars to electric bicycles and scooters for shorter journeys as part of its long-term strategy, according to the ride-hailing app’s chief executive.
Dara Khosrowshahi said more individual modes of transport were better suited to inner-city travel, despite snatching revenues away from Uber’s drivers. He admitted that in the short term the move would mean a further financial hit for a company that had losses of $4.5 billion last year.
Ahead of Uber’s highly anticipated flotation, Mr Khosrowshahi said investors had to be aware that short-term losses were necessary to achieve longer-term goals — and part of that was a focus away from cars in inner cities.
Uber first added e-bikes to its app in February, and acquired the bike-sharing company Jump for about $200m in April. Jump bikes are available in eight US cities, including New York, Washington and Denver, and are soon launching in Berlin.
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