Ditch the car and make money from it? It sounds crazy, but that's exactly what Uber is proposing!
In a bold attempt to promote the use of public transport and sustainable alternatives, the transport app giant launched the “One Less Car” program, promising US$1.000 (about R$5.592) to those willing to leave their cars behind . But is this initiative open to everyone, including Brazilians? Let's explore this story and understand how it works.
How “One Less Car” works
The “One Less Car” program is an initiative of Uber aimed at encouraging the use of alternative transport, such as trains, buses and bicycles.
The proposal is simple: leave the car in the garage and, in return, receive a sum of money. Uber will select 175 participants in specific cities in the United States and Canada, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.
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Why $1.000?
The choice of value is not random. According to Uber, US$1.000 represents the average monthly cost a car owner has for their vehicle, including fuel, maintenance and insurance costs.
Over the course of five weeks, selected participants will be asked to document their experiences using alternative transportation and share their stories.
Uber's past experiences and goals
This is not the first time that Uber has launched an initiative of this type. In 2023, the company conducted a similar test in Australia, with 58 participants, who received around R$4.865 at the end of the test period.
Uber's objective with this initiative is twofold: to reduce dependence on private cars and promote environmental sustainability. The company has ambitious plans to make all trips on its platform 100% emissions-free by 2040.
Challenges and feasibility
According to experts, The initiative faces some challenges, especially related to transport infrastructure in the participating regions. For people to actually leave their cars, it is essential that public transport is efficient and accessible.
In the United States, there are 233 million private vehicles, 80 million of which travel less than 16 miles per day, indicating significant potential to reduce car use.
Brazilian participants
Unfortunately, for now, Brazilians cannot participate in the “One Less Car” program. The initiative is restricted to the cities mentioned in the United States and Canada.
However, Uber is constantly exploring new ways to expand its operations and initiatives, so it is possible that something similar will be offered in Brazil in the future.
In Brazil, Uber has carried out more than 11 billion trips since its arrival in 2014. The company estimates that 125 million Brazilians have already used the application at least once.
However, the question remains: Will the Brazil Are you prepared for an initiative like “One Less Car”? The public transport infrastructure in the country is an issue that needs to be considered. Many Brazilians still face challenges such as overcrowding, lack of security and limited coverage.
Would you be willing to give up your car in exchange for a financial reward? Leave your opinion in the comments!