Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in …
As part of a summer-long deal kicking off this month in NYC that will almost certainly lose them money, Uber is offering insanely discounted rides during commuting hours.
And by insanely discounted, we mean cheaper than the subway.
The offer: flat-rate commute cards for unlimited uberPOOL rides in Manhattan (below 125th Street) from 7-10 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. on weekdays.
The cards, which are available to purchase through Gilt City, cost $49 for a two-week pass, $79 for a four-week pass or $159 for an eight-week pass. Gilt City membership is free.
Although the subway doesn’t offer two- or eight-week passes, a seven-day unlimited pass costs $31 and 30-day unlimited goes for $116.50. If you crunch the numbers, the cost of commuting twice a day, five times a week on the subway is about $2.91. On Uber? Now as low as $1.98.
The ride-sharing company — which already offers POOL rides in designated areas for $5 flat during the week — is likely offering the deal to ward off ridesharing competitors and gain ground on NYC yellow cabs, as well as boost sales during the slower summer months.
“We are hoping to make commuting in the hot summer just a little bit easier by expanding our $5 UberPool flat-rate option to include unlimited UberPool rides in Manhattan for the first time ever,” Uber NYC GM Josh Mohrer in a statement.
It doesn’t make up for them jacking up prices when our phone batteries are low or it’s raining and we’re desperate to get home, but it’s a start.
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