Talk about ending the year in a big way.
Uber Technologies Inc, the American international transportation network company, has just given its one-billionth ride, according to the company’s blog post.
The billionth ride took place in London on Christmas Eve.
In honor of the milestone, the rider, Marvin, has been gifted a year’s worth of free rides. The driver, Ara, has received a vacation to the Uber city of his choice, with all expenses on Uber. What’s more, in honor of Hackney—the community where the ride took place, Uber will be making a donation to local charity Hackney Pirates.
Uber was founded by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick in 2009, making it just over 5 years for Uber to reach its billionth ride.
Uber is now available in 68 countires and 370 cities worldwide. The company’s value is estimated to be at about $62.5 billion.
According to Uber:
Marvin and Ara just made our day. Their £5 London uberX ride together on Christmas Eve from London Fields, Hackney to Hoxton in Ara’s blue Honda Insight Hybrid was the billionth Uber trip.
One billion. That’s a whole lot of riders and drivers sharing the road, special moments, and celebrations together. Certainly far more than we ever imagined when we got started in San Francisco five and a half years ago.
This holiday season, we’re feeling grateful and festive crossing this milestone as we close out the year. For riding their way into our history books, we’re putting one year’s worth of free rides in rider Marvin’s stocking and our driver-partner Ara will be taking a vacation on us to the Uber city of his choice.
To celebrate the community where this special trip took place, we are also making a donation to Hackney Pirates—a charity serving the neighborhood where the billionth trip started. Hackney Pirates develops the literacy, confidence, and perseverance of young people aged 9-12 across the borough of Hackney, so that they are set up for success both in school and beyond.
Marvin, Ara—thank you for being part of this special moment. And thanks to everyone who rode or drove Uber on one of the 999,999,999 trips before this one. We’re looking forward to sharing the next several billion with you all.
