Uber Boat by Thames Clippers: New partnership to start this summer

Image credit: Uber

Ride-hailing firm Uber and Thames Clippers are to formally announce a partnership later this summer to launch Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

The new partnership between Uber and Thames Clippers aims to encourage more people to travel by boat around the city and supports the ongoing expansion of the river network across London.

Uber users will be able to purchase tickets in advance through the Uber app and then use QR technology to board the boats. The payment will be processed using the user’s account details.

Passengers will also be able to continue purchasing tickets via the existing Thames Clippers sales channels, including touching in and out with contactless or Oyster to pay as you go at the piers they serve across London

The boats and piers will be branded with a newly-created Uber Boat by Thames Clippers brand but the service will continue to be fully operated by Thames Clippers.

The partnership will see no change in ownership for Thames Clippers; AEG, owners and operators of The O2, own the majority stake in the company.

Currently Thames Clippers operates a fleet of 20 boats on the River Thames, with departures from 23 piers across London from Putney to Woolwich Royal Arsenal, supporting commuters getting into the city.

Following a temporary suspension due to COVID-19 lockdown measures, Thames Clippers resumed operation on 15 June following a number of changes to its services in line with the Government’s social distancing rules.

Over 4.3m people use the River Thames for commuting and travelling each year on the Thames Clippers network alone.

Jamie Heywood, Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, Uber, said: “Londoners are looking for new ways to travel around the city, particularly when they start commuting back to work. Later this summer we will launch the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers partnership in London as a means for people to travel into the City by water, which will be fully integrated through the Uber app.”

Sean Collins, Thames Clippers co-founder and CEO, said: “In our 22nd year of operation it is key that we continue to support London and its commuters with the ease of lockdown and return to work.

“The new partnership sees Thames Clippers and Uber, who both pride themselves on safety, reliability and comfort, come together. It will allow us to link the two travel modes of river and road, providing Londoners and visitors with even more options to commute, visit, explore and enjoy our city by river. Watch this space; the partnership will support the ongoing expansion of our network, opening up more of London to fast, reliable journeys by water.”