Uber launches services in Manama

DT News Network

Manama

The smartphone-based ride-for-hire service Uber had begun operating in Manama, according to a Thursday-dated company announcement.

The launch took place at popular nightspot Cafe Amsterdam, featured a live DJ and an activation booth. The launch was attended by some of the country’s most notable business leaders.

Zeid Hreish, the operations manager for Uber in the city, reassured the safety of the ride service, stating that its safety and reliability was “something that has been reinforced as we’ve continued to test our service out over the last few months here in Manama.”

He said that Manama is a part of the Middle East that sees a lot of corporate travel from other.

Local taxi companies over the world have historically opposed ride-hailing services such as Lyft, Ola and Uber, arguing the lack of regulations in most regions give such companies an unfair advantage over taxis. Local taxi services in the city were unavailable for comment at the time.

Uber has always been hailed for its easy to use service, making use of GPS and internet capabilities of smartphones. Prospective passengers can request an Uber ride after downloading the Uber app onto their smartphone or signing up at uber.com/go. The app is available free of cost on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

The company currently offers two different services in Manama: “UberBLACK,” featuring the likes of Toyota Innova and Chevrolet Caprice, and “UberX,” which employs a fleet of Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, said the company in a statement. 

Uber payments can be done through the riders’ registered credit cards. The app also allows multiple Uber riders to split the bill, hinting at an option for consumers to share their rides.

With the addition of the kingdom’s capital, the company now operates in about seven countries in the Middle East.