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| This is an image of a smartphone application provided by Uber, the Silicon Valley-based software developer. Using it, a passenger can text either a taxi or other participating vehicle with a touch of the app's screen and designate where to meet the driver. In minutes, the driver arrives at the designated place to pick up the customer. / Courtesy of Uber Technologies |
By Choi Kyong-ae
Uber Technologies is strengthening its application services that connect potential passengers with participating drivers in Asia, the U.S. smartphone application company said Thursday.
The Silicon Valley-based software developer launched its application through which passengers can text a driver to book a ride without making a call in Beijing this week. Beijing is the 100th city to adopt the services, Uber said in a statement.
The passenger-driver matching services are already available in Asian cities such as Singapore, Seoul and Taipei since its arrival earlier last year, it said.
"We couldn't be more excited about this (launching in Beijing)," said Ryan Graves, Uber's head of global operations. "With Uber, residents and visitors can tap a button on their phone and a driver will turn up to take them to Tiananmen Square or the Great Wall or for a business meeting or dinner anywhere in this great city."
Uber said it believes the application services are getting popular in the Asia-Pacific region as a "better way to get around."
In cities across the region, and now in Beijing, the reception for the service has been tremendous. Uber moves people and people move us," Graves said.
Uber, established in San Francisco in 2009, began its services in the state in 2010 and later spread to cities in a total of 36 other countries as of Thursday, the statement said.
"Asia definitely is a growth market for the applications. And we expect a growing demand on growing mobility in emerging economies," it said.
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