Uber Updates App With Public Transit Options

Uber has announced that it is launching its first integration with public transit. The rideshare giant has partnered with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) so that users in Denver can find real-time information and directions to local public transportation via the Uber app.

“Our customers want their trips to be as seamless as possible, and a collaboration like this one allows them to plan for travel from end to end, including additional first-mile and last-mile options,” said David Genova, RTD CEO and General Manager, in a press release. “RTD is pleased to work with Uber as we present riders with additional, complementary options to most efficiently reach their destination[s].”

After a user enters their destination into the Uber app, “Transit” will appear next to other available transportation options in their city. Once Transit is chosen, users can view available transit routes, including real-time departure and arrival times, and walking directions to/from the transit stations. The company added that its riders will soon be able to purchase and use RTD tickets through the Uber app.

There are also plans to expand the service into additional cities through Uber’s partnerships with Moovit, its real-time transit data and route planning provider, and Masabi, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) ticketing and payments platform.

The announcement comes after it was revealed in early January that Uber’s valuation, when it goes public, is likely to be $14 billion less than its most recent private valuation. The new number is partially based on previous undisclosed projections that Uber gave to creditors last year, which showed that its estimated double net revenue would reach $14.2 billion by 2019.

Uber filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the end of December, joining its main rival Lyft, with both expected to be among the largest tech companies to go public in 2019.