According to Reuters, Uber now offers boat hailing services on Dal Lake, located in the Kashmir region of India. These wooden shikara boats are decorated with bright colors and have comfortable cushions to allow tourists to enjoy a scenic boat ride.
Those who want to enjoy a shikara ride on Dal Lake via Uber can make a reservation at least 12 hours (and up to 15 days) in advance.
Currently, there are about 4,000 chicars on Dal Lake. According to Uber, the app will allow drivers to find shikara operators, but will not charge fares. All the money paid by the passenger for the boat ticket goes to the operator.
Shikara operators shared with Reuters mixed feelings about Uber’s entry into the market. Some say that working with Uber can help prevent bidding and fraud, while others say it won’t change anything.
Of course, this is not the first time Uber has offered transportation other than cars. Uber Copter was launched in 2019. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is another service available in London that recently launched across Europe this summer. The company also offers scooter rentals, airline ticketing, and, incredibly, coder hiring.
