The "UBER case" #4: Pool without water!
SHARING ECONOMY In our increasingly digital world, there is constant talk of the so-called «sharing economy.» But where are the concrete examples that make this trend tangible? «UberPool» demonstrates what’s possible.
Since last fall, UBER has been offering so-called "UBER pools", where several passengers can share a car. FROM CHRISTOPH OGGENFUSS*On my trip to the MARTECH conference, I made an interesting discovery in San Francisco. UBER launched a new service last fall: UBER Pool - which animated me to another contribution to the business model of UBER.As I took my luggage from the conveyor belt and marched towards the exit of the San Francisco airport a message from UBER reached me namely that the boarding to the UBER vehicles is on the departure level. So I went one floor higher, started the UBER app and got a second message namely that I can ride with UBER pool into the city and thus will be substantially cheaper on the road. Even after a twelve-hour flight, I wanted to know how that works and ordered the pool vehicle, which was in front of me in a few minutes. The driver greeted me friendly with my first name, stowed my suitcase and off I went. After about 300 meters, the driver stopped at another terminal and a second person got on - just: UBER pool or "sharing".
The UBER pool works fine even without water.On my app it said, "You ride with Eric and save 55%." Eric got on and we were on our way to my hotel in San Francisco. The ride was indeed a bargain, I was only charged $15.- on my credit card. Arrived at the hotel I said goodbye to the pool colleague Eric who was then still driven to his destination.During the conference I then thought about whether this service only works from the airport to the city and so I called UBER pool again on my onward journey to Las Vegas in front of my hotel in San Francisco. I get the information that I can be picked up in 15 minutes. That is o.k. for me and already a little earlier the car drives up and is occupied with a person who obviously also has to go to the airport. My app pushes me the first name of the passenger and so I can greet the person by name.What is so convincing about UBER-Pool?- The UBER app creates transparency regarding similar customer needs: "I want to go from San Francisco to the airport now."- The app ensures that I don't have to wait more than 20 minutes, otherwise I choose a conventional solution. UBER pool reduces the car kilometers driven - instead of two vehicles, only one pool car is on the road.- For every two customers, the costs are halved.UBER is obviously not satisfied with its initial success and continues to create new and clever offers. Talking about start-up success: In the greater San Francisco area there are about 10'000 UBER vehicles in use!
