Uber kicks off uberAUTO service in Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore

BHUBANESWAR/COIMBATORE: Uber, the smartphone app that matches riders with drivers, today launched uberAUTO in Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore.

"Auto-rickshaws play a big part in city transport, and uberAUTO will help transform the existing transportation options by using the best-in-class technology," a release from Uber said.

uberAUTO was introduced to provide a cheaper transportation option to riders, especially when they have to make short trips like going to the grocery store or getting back home from bus stops, the company statement said.

The product will also give auto drivers an opportunity to work more efficiently using technology to get more ride requests and optimise productivity.

In December 2015, Uber had stopped its auto rickshaw-hailing service in Delhi just seven months into the ride.