Uber CPO: Don't Just Talk to Strangers, Split An Uber

NPR

Published April 22, 2015 at 12:20 PM EDT

The Uber app is shown as cars drive by in Washington, D.C. on March 25, 2015. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

Since its launch in 2009, the car-for-hire company Uber has rolled out in more than 200 cities around the world. It has disrupted the traditional taxi cab industry and challenged lawmakers who believe the company needs more regulation and safety guarantees.

Still, the service is flourishing – valued at $41 billion as it heads toward a 2015 initial public offering – and is trying to build on that success with new services.

The latest is uberPOOL. Like Uber, users can open up their app to find a ride, but uberPOOL allows those users to split their rides with others – strangers included – for a cheaper fare. How successful has it been? And how safe?

Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson speaks with Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden about the latest project.

See more in our View From The Top series

Guest

Jeff Holden, chief product officer of Uber. He tweets @jeffholden.