From TechCrunch · Kirsten Korosec · · 2m
Uber launches parking service after SpotHero buy
Uber is now letting customers reserve parking in 15 major U.S. cities, nine months after acquiring SpotHero, with plans to use the network for autonomous vehicles.
In brief
Uber is now letting customers reserve parking in 15 major U.S. cities, nine months after acquiring SpotHero, with plans to use the network for autonomous vehicles. Uber launched a parking reservation service in 15 U.S. cities following its February acquisition of SpotHero, aiming to deepen commuter engagement and…
Uber launches parking nationwide
Uber on Monday said it is launching a new service that lets customers reserve and pay for parking in major U.S. cities, about nine months after acquiring parking app SpotHero.
SpotHero acquisition gives Uber scale
The acquisition, announced in February, gives Uber access to a network of thirteen thousand garages, lots, and valet services across more than four hundred cities.
Parking spots for autonomous vehicles
Uber plans to leverage these parking spots to help dozens of autonomous vehicle companies it has partnered with, using them as staging and waiting locations to reduce congestion and deadheading.
Service launches in 15 cities
Uber will initially launch in fifteen U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
Commuters are Uber's top priority
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said commute is one of Uber's largest categories. Offering commuters parking alongside rides and surge passes builds out services for this top customer segment.
“Commute is one of our largest categories. And to be able to offer commuters an Uber to work, a pass to avoid surge, and parking if they want it when they want to drive is a great example of us building out our inventory of services to the commuter who is a top customer for us.”
Uber One members get parking rewards
Uber One, the membership program with more than fifty five million members as of September thirty, offers members a chance to earn ten percent back in credits on eligible parking reservations.
How Uber Parking works
Users enter their destination and desired date and time, review options on an interactive map, filter by parking type, and book after entering vehicle details. Entry uses QR codes or license plate recognition.
Free cancellations until parking starts
All pricing is shown upfront. Users can cancel their bookings for free until the start time, and use the payment method in their Uber wallet to complete the transaction.
The short version
Uber launched a parking reservation service in 15 U.S. cities following its February acquisition of SpotHero, aiming to deepen commuter engagement and support autonomous vehicle operations.
