Uber pays housing complex tenants to go car-free

Uber has announced that it is starting a pilot programme whereby it will provide transit options for its first real estate project, Parkmerced, which is one of the largest housing complexes in San Francisco. Uber will be capping fares for UberPool, the company's shared rides program, at no more than $5 from the 152-acre Parkmerced complex to three public transit locations. Furthermore, new tenants who agree not to own cars will receive $100 every month to be spent on Uber and public transport rides. According to an Uber spokesperson, the partnership is a way to promote mass transit and cut the need for car ownership among residents by incentivising them to live car-free, and could lead to future partnerships with other housing projects.

Uber is teaming up with the owners of a massive real estate development in San Francisco to offer new tenants a monthly $100 transportation stipend if they agree to go car-free. The money can be used for public transit, taxis, and car-sharing, as long as at least $30 is put toward Uber. The money is being provided by the owners of Parkmerced, a collection of 8,900 apartments in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco.

"a building block for a smarter city future"

Uber also says it will cap Uber Pool rides between Parkmerced and public transit hubs at $5 by creating a geofence around the property. Anyone taking an Uber Pool trip from the Parkmerced to the Bay Area Rapid Transit's Daly City or Balboa Park stations, as well as the West Portal MUNI, will pay a flat $5 fare. Riders going from those stations to Parkmerced will also only pay $5.

Parkmerced, which is owned by Maximus Real Estate Partners, says its partnership with Uber, and the $100 monthly stipend, will allow it to avoid having to create more parking spaces as it continues developing its property. "The immediate benefits to residents will be to decrease or eliminate the need for private car ownership, facilitate a more efficient commute, reduce transportation costs, and minimize the need for parking," said Rob Rosania, founder of Maximus.

"weaning people off of personal cars"

It's the first time that Uber has partnered with a property owner to offer transportation incentives to residents. In a blog post, Uber called it "a building block for a smarter city future and exemplifies the creative ways in which Uber can make it possible for city dwellers to live car-free and connect the transportation network." The company also cited a recent report released by the American Public Transportation Association, which recommended better connections between public transit and transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.