Uber has launched a boat ride service in Lagos, Nigeria to ease the notorious traffic congestion experienced daily in the megacity. They are in partnership with local boat operator Texas Connection Ferries and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

Uber’s Chief Business Officer, Brooks Entwistle, had earlier in June announced that the company planned to launch the service to and was in talks with Lagos state government and regulatory authorities to start UberBoats to ease traffic congestion in the city.

“This initiative is aimed at providing commuters with an easy and affordable way to get in and out of the city’s business districts,” Uber said in a statement.

UberBoat will only be operational on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm for 500 naira ($1.39) per trip, the ride-hailing company said. It will operate on a fixed route between Falomo and Ikorodu

Uber officials said there would be four trips a day, carrying up to 35 people on a boat, during the two-week pilot slated from October 11th to October 25th.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, said the Uber boat service, and the use of waterways in general, were part of a raft of initiatives aimed at easing congestion that include a program of road repairs.

“We want ferries that carry 60 to 80 people,” he said, referring to his hopes for the future use of waterways, on Thursday at a forum with businesses.

Uber’s boat initiative follows a number of motorcycle ride-hailing firms that have targeted West Africa as an area for expansion in the last few months.

Culled from www.reuters.com