Bhubaneswar, April 1: On-demand cab service provider Uber today launched an autorickshaw service in the city.

People can avail the Uber autorickshaw service by downloading the Uber app on their smartphones and requesting a ride through this application. After completion of the trip, the user will get a digital invoice mentioning the amount to be paid. This would save citizens the trouble of haggling with auto drivers.

The users can pay for their trip with cash, e-wallet, debit or credit cards. "We are very excited to launch uberAUTO in Bhubaneshwar. Auto-rickshaws are a key part of the city and with our new service, uberAUTO drivers will spend less time waiting for passengers, thereby earning more each day," said Uber East general manager Ashwin Das.

Passengers will have to pay a base fare of Rs 15 and Rs 3 every kilometre then on along with Re 1 a minute as waiting charges. For instance, a trip from Sailashree Vihar to the railway station will cost Rs 80, while a trip from Naypalli to BMC Mall will cost Rs 50.

"This is a nice initiative by Uber. I always found the Uber cab service convenient and hope the auto rickshaw service will also be similarly comfortable. I found the cost of the service cheaper as compared to the regular autorickshaws," said Nilardri Vihar resident Binapani Mohanta.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, who officially launched the service in the city today, said that the Smart City project is the top priority for Bhubaneshwar and it is a welcome initiative of Uber to provide smart mobility solutions to citizens.

Uber had launched the autorickshaw service in New Delhi in June last year. However, it was stopped in December, barely seven months after the launch. A company source said the service in New Delhi was introduced on a pilot basis and would start again shortly.