Startling: Uber returns to Budapest but will be very different

We wrote in February that the popular ride-sharing service Uber would return to Budapest after being ‘banned’ by the new regulations of the Hungarian government in 2016. However, their service will be very different from what we are used to before.

According to infostart.hu, the American company awaits permission from the Hungarian authorities to start service in Budapest. However, it will be different from its old version. The new service will lack some advantages Hungarians used to like in Uber. For example, sharing a ride will not be cheaper than getting in a cab, and random drivers will not be able to transport passengers. That is what the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) told rtl.hu, as reported by Pénzcentrum.

Uber will be like any other Hungarian taxi companies

The re-establishment of Uber’s service is now waiting for permission concerning their dispatcher centre. The transportation company will operate as a joint subsidiary of the Főtaxi Group and Uber, F Mobilitás Ltd. Therefore, entering the market is only a plan.

Réka Bittera, the ride-sharing company’s contact in Hungary, said she cannot serve details until they get the permission. However, she shared some information about the “new Uber” in the Hungarian capital:

• You will only be able to engage the passenger transport services of Uber via the app;
• You may order an Uber taxi via their app;
• You may use Főtaxi services via their communication channels;
• The American ride-sharing service will not affect the Főtaxi app and its services.

Here are the expected fares

Bittera highlighted that the American company’s service will comply with local regulations and rules, which will be apparent in their pricing policy. Pénzcentrum believes that the company’s drivers will use the same tariffs as Budapest taxi drivers. Currently, the base fare is HUF 1,100 (EUR 2.77), the km fare is HUF 440 (EUR 1.11), and the minute-based fare is HUF 110 (EUR 0.28).

The American company’s return to Budapest is unique. This is going to be the second time, after Germany, they enter a European market jointly with a taxi company. In 2016, they exited Hungary because they did not want to comply with the new regulations the Hungarian government implemented to protect Hungarian taxi drivers.

Read also:

• Taxi fares can rise again in Budapest while ‘banned’ Uber returns – Read more HERE
• HERE is how the popular ride-sharing service Uber returns to Budapest

Photo: depositphotos.com