Illustration picture. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)
BOSTON – Uber has agreed to share trip data with Boston, and city officials hope the information helps them improve services.
Starting in about two weeks, the San Francisco-based company promises to provide quarterly reports to the city about the distances travelled using the ride-hailing service, as well as passenger pick up and drop off locations and times. The company says it will keep drivers' and passengers' personal information private.
The agreement comes as Massachusetts and Boston regulators are looking to impose new regulations on ride services. City officials hope the data will help them manage urban growth, relieve traffic congestion and improve public transportation.
Uber promises to offer other American cities the same information. It had rejected an earlier request by New York City, citing privacy concerns.
Get a daily look at what’s developing in science and technology throughout the world.