Uber is testing out two new ride-sharing services this month

It’s estimated that the average American commuter spends 42 hours a year stuck in traffic. That’s a lot of wasted time. What’s more, the problem will only get worse as cities and the economy grow. Investment in mass transit is an important part of the solution. But it’s expensive and not everyone lives within walking distance of the subway or a bus stop. Uber helps use today’s existing infrastructure more efficiently at no extra cost by getting more butts into the backseats of fewer cars. uberPOOL is a first step, making it quick and easy for people going in the same direction at the same time to share the journey. It’s a model that’s working. But that’s just the start of what’s possible with apps like Uber. Today, 76 percent of commuters in the U.S. drive to work by themselves. If they could easily share the trip (and the cost) with one or more fellow commuters that would dramatically cut congestion, improving everyone’s quality of life. It’s why we’re excited to announce two new pilot programs in Seattle and Chicago that will make it even easier for people to share their journey to and from work.