Instead of complementing, Uber now wants to compete with public transport

The cab aggregator Uber is moving away from the avowed policy of complementing public transport to replacing "public transportation, one use case at a time", along with private vehicles.

The global ride-sharing giant set out its vision in a document filed at the Security Exchange Commission, United States, ahead of its initial public offering.

India is one of the 57 countries, where the company sees potential in replacing the public transport, says a report in Deccan Herald.

The company’s document delves into potential markets and explains the prospect is in becoming the alternatives to the existing modes that serve trips of less than 30 miles (48 km).  This could essentially mean that city bus services will be Uber's target.

Uber is certainly one of the biggest ride-hailing company out there, but it’s still losing a lot of money. It’s thus also trying to figure out new ways to make more money. One new program could involve public transportation.

Though the final outcome of the policy churn is still not clear, it could also mean that Uber sees an opportunity to provide riders with discounted rides to and from mass transit stops.

The company has worked with a few cities around the world before–including New Delhi and Cairo–and may be looking to increase these program further.

The latest strategy from Uber comes at a time when most of the road transport corporations (RTCs) are in deep red and has been looking to government for support.

Some of them like Bangalore Transport Corporation has written to the government requesting a ban on ride-sharing services, while the losses have been piling up at their backyard.

Quite a few urban planners feel that the growth strategies of companies such as Uber do not sit well with mobility strategies for big cities where the idea is to have more people use public transport. They are of the view that governments should introduce regulations to create a level playing field for both private and corporate sectors.