Encouraging Riders to Choose Reading Over Doomscrolling on Uber Shuttle Buses in Delhi NCR
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Penguin Random House India and Uber have joined forces to launch the #UberReads campaign, aimed at encouraging reading during commutes on Uber Shuttle EV buses in Delhi NCR. This innovative campaign integrates Penguin’s rich literary heritage as the Home of (almost) all our favourite books with Uber’s cutting-edge transportation solutions, creating a unique reading experience for riders.
As residents of Delhi NCR opt for Uber’s newly launched EV Shuttle Bus for their daily commutes, they will find a library of popular titles from Penguin available on board offering riders the chance to rediscover the joy of reading. This month-long initiative aims to inspire riders to choose a book over doomscrolling on their smartphones during their journeys, promoting mindful reading habits. The campaign will feature #UberReads branded EV buses on predefined routes in Noida, Delhi, and Gurgaon, covering some of the most frequented commute routes between business districts and large residential areas. Riders are encouraged to pick a book of their choice, enjoy it during their journey, and place it back for the next reader before exiting the bus.
Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO- India, SEA & MENA, Penguin Random House, added, ‘At Penguin, we believe in the transformative power of reading and the importance of keeping this habit alive in our content-crowded world. The #UberReads campaign is an exciting opportunity to showcase the wide range of books we offer – from fiction to biographies, self-help to mysteries – ensuring there’s a book for every kind of reader. We are thrilled to partner with Uber in this innovative initiative, demonstrating that reading can happen anywhere, even on the go. This partnership is a testament to the creative possibilities when two brands come together with a shared vision.’
He further comments that ‘this campaign ties in well with Penguin’s goal to be involved in sustainable practices and initiatives. As an ecologically conscious company, Penguin recently started the transition to recyclable paper to publish its books and has made many sustainable changes in its operations to reduce its carbon footprint. The introduction of EV shuttle buses by Uber aligns with Penguin’s commitment to sustainability, making this partnership not only a literary endeavour but also an environmentally responsible one.’
Amit Deshpande, Head – High Capacity Vehicles, Uber India and South Asia, commented, ‘Uber Shuttle helps get more people to travel in fewer vehicles, all with the comfort, convenience, and safety that Uber has brought to everyday commute. Our campaign #UberReads is a unique way to draw attention to the options available to all of us which we somehow choose to overlook – like choosing a shared ride over a private vehicle or to scroll endlessly on the phone instead of mindful reading. By bringing to life #UberReads through our partnership with Penguin, we want to remind people of the conscious choices that are wholesome in more ways than one.’
How to book an Uber Shuttle trip:
- Open the Uber App
- Enter your destination, select the ‘Shuttle’ option
- Review your fare
- Select your preferred route & pick-up timing, and then tap request
- We will send you the driver and bus details 25 min before your journey.
- You can track the shuttle via the app before your pickup time.
- Walk to the pickup spot you see on the map.