New Delhi: Government personnel from ministries, departments, agencies, and public sector units will soon have the convenience of booking taxis for official purposes through the popular cab aggregator Uber. In a strategic collaboration, Uber has partnered with the government’s public procurement portal, GeM, to provide this service. Initially introduced as a pilot project, the service will gradually become available to all government ministers, departments, agencies, and public sector units, following a phased approach.
This collaboration aims to offer a corporate service experience to government officials. Uber will provide the service at a fixed price, ensuring no surge pricing or cancellation charges. To facilitate this partnership, Uber has registered on the government e-marketplace (GeM), which was established in 2016 by the commerce ministry to promote transparency in government procurement and enable central ministries and departments to purchase goods and services.
There is a significant demand for taxi services within the government sector, with substantial expenditure incurred by various departments. By utilizing this partnership, government entities will have the opportunity to save a considerable amount of money. Taxi services rank as the second highest category of services on the GeM portal, reflecting the high demand from government departments and ministries.
To elaborate on the process, each ministry or department will have an authorized person responsible for managing riders and officials who can utilize the Uber service via the mobile app. The authorized official will have the flexibility to add or remove riders based on requirements. Upon using the service, the department will receive the bill directly.
This collaboration aims to provide cashless and cardless rides for government officials. Additional vehicle categories specifically for government riders have been introduced, including GeM Yatraa Hatch and GeM Yatraa Sedan. Furthermore, an hourly rental option for multiple stops will be available to cater to the diverse needs of government personnel.
A company official has confirmed the partnership and the collaboration is set to benefit both Uber and the government. GeM currently boasts over 63,000 government buyer organizations and more than 6.2 million sellers and service providers, offering a wide range of products and services. The portal facilitates transactions for government departments, ministries, public sector units, state governments, and central armed police forces. From office stationery to vehicles, GeM provides an extensive selection of products.
By embracing this partnership, government personnel will enjoy the convenience of reliable and efficient transportation services while optimizing costs. The collaboration between Uber and GeM represents a significant step towards enhancing transparency and efficiency in government procurement processes, ultimately benefiting the government and its stakeholders.
