Have you ever been stuck downtown, praying that the next Greenline or 30 bus will arrive on time? Or stuck on Brady Street at 2a.m. without a taxi in sight? UW-Milwaukee students now have a new way of getting where they need to be: Uber, a smart phone app.
The app, which was launched in Milwaukee about two weeks ago, detects the closest transportation service offered through Uber and immediately gives rates for each option, and the ability to call the driver to your location.
“Uber is like an open table,” said Nick Anderson, Uber’s general manager. “We partner with local license drivers and then the app connects the drivers with the customers.”
Once downloaded, Uber asks the user for their name and a picture, to help drivers identify passengers. Additionally, the app requires users to enter their credit card number so they can use the app whenever they need to.
The Milwaukee branch of Uber uses town cars and sedans, instead of traditional taxis. After they request rides, the app provides users with a car description, license plate number and GPS map of where the car is as it gets closer.
According to Anderson, drivers will take customers almost anywhere in the Milwaukee area. How far someone can go depends primarily upon how much they’re willing to pay.
“[The launch in Milwaukee] is going really well, we have great feedback from riders,” Anderson said. “And the more popular the app gets, the more drivers join and there will be more drivers online.”
“We’re just really excited to be here, we think [Milwaukee]’s going be a great city for us.”