Uber Expands Into Courier Service With Manhattan-Only Pilot

Uber has always flirted with the idea of expanding from being a mere car service to becoming a more generalized delivery business. In the past, this has meant publicity stunt services: Christmas tree deliveries! Kittens transported to customers for cuddling sessions! Now the company taking a less whimsical approach, launching an actual courier service in Manhattan.

The service, Uber Rush, has gone live in a private testing period as part of the company’s regular app. While it uses the same technology to deploy couriers, Uber is also recruiting a separate group of bicycle and pedestrian messengers to deliver things. Prices range from $15 to $30, depending on how far the item must travel, and messengers will travel only between Manhattan’s southern tip and 110th Street.