Thomas Warren, wtop.com
WASHINGTON — A new car service called “Uber” that allows passengers to use a smartphone app to get a ride may give D.C. cab drivers a run for their money.
The service provides a personal car service from anywhere in the city with a touch of a screen.
The service rolled out fully in D.C. on Thursday after completing a test run earlier this month.
You do have to create an account to use the service. You’ll be told your credit card information won’t be charged until after you first use the service.
Once you sign up for the service, you tell the app your location, then request a driver. In a matter of minutes a black sedan pulls up to take you where you want to go.
You can also track the driver as the car gets closer to you.
Those without smartphones can text their whereabouts.
Drivers will also take you to neighboring counties in both Virginia and Maryland.
With the $7 flat rate, $3.25 per-mile and $0.75 cent per-minute charges, a ride from, say, Nationals Park to Chinatown can get costly.
The company reportedly has about 60 cars operational, with plans to expand.
Uber is also active in other majors U.S. and European cities such as Chicago, Seattle, and Paris.
Follow Thomas and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
