Uber debuts ‘POOL Thursdays’ to cut pollution in India
Uber has launched "POOL Thursdays" in India as part of its #SwitchToPool campaign that encourages ride-sharing and carpooling to combat rising pollution levels and congestion. The default option for select riders on the app will be set to "Pool" during rush hour. A 2012 study estimated congestion cost the country INR60,000 crore ($8.8bn) p.a. including fuel wastage.

Gurugram, Nov 16 (UNI) Leading online transport aggregator Uber today announced the roll out of ‘POOL Thursdays’ as a part of its #SwitchToPool campaign to accelerate its efforts to offer carpooling and ride-sharing as credible solutions to the growing menace of rising pollution levels and congestion in the city. In a landmark move, this Pool Thursday, Uber will encourage more riders to use Pool by making that the default option on the app for select riders, during rush hour, the company said in a statement. “Congestion is more than just an annoyance; it’s a drain on our cities, our economies, our health, and our planet. Across India, traffic congestion leads to an estimated loss of Rs 60,000 crore per year, including fuel wastage. Currently, on an average we have just one person in a car at any given point, with the average asset utilization rate as low as five per cent. This clearly indicates a strong need and opportunity to put ‘more people in fewer cars’, said Mr Prabhjeet Singh, General Manager Delhi & NCR, Uber India. “We believe that tackling pollution levels and congestion requires concerted action and collaborative partnerships. As a responsible corporate citizen, we want to be a part of the solution and we are confident that the citizens will get an opportunity to partner with Uber, and make the future of their cities better,” he added. As a part of ‘POOL Thursdays’, the company will also be announcing a slew of interesting promotional offers in the coming days to raise awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to Pool their rides. UNI ASH ADG