Certify, an expense management system provider, reports that use of Uber by business travelers using its service has reached an astounding 46 percent of all ground transportation during the first quarter of 2015. Compared to the figure of 15 percent during 2014’s first quarter, that is a remarkable surge in growth.
“While we often see noteworthy market shifts — leading restaurant chains and hotels exchanging leadership positions, for example — it is unprecedented to see one vendor grow to take such a commanding market share within one year’s time,” said Certify CEO Bob Neveu, who reported to Scott Mayerowitz of the AP.
In some US cities the use of Uber has gone past the 50 percent mark for business travelers using in-city transportation. In San Francisco, as an example, 71 percent of rides reported to Certify were done using Uber during Q1, with only 29 percent using all other methods of travel, such as taxis or busses. In Dallas that number is 56 percent.
There are still cities wherer use of Uber is lagging behind, including New York, Chicago and Miami. In those cities limos, taxis and shuttles still take from 75 to 79 percent of ground travel expensed through Certify.
Some companies are hesitating to make the switch due to concerns about safety and liability.
“Big limousine or airport shuttle companies carry insurance; individuals moonlighting as drivers don’t always,” writes Mayerowitz.
These concerns seem to be of little concern to the companies flocking to Uber in droves.
“The business community is looking for value and convenience, and at the same time this is a group that is interested in innovation,” said Neveu. “Ridesharing services are making inroads into corporate budgets because they combine all of those things.”
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