Facebook working to let users hail Uber cabs directly from Messenger app

Making its first entry into the personal transport business, Facebook will work with Uber to allow users to hail Uber cabs directly from the Messenger app.

The new service, called Uber on Messenger, would give Messenger users the ability to ask for an Uber vehicle without exiting the Facebook software.

Users would not need to download the Uber app separately.

The companies announced their new venture, which started off in the US this week, via separate blogs.

Facebook counts around 1.5 billion users globally while Uber is world's biggest driver-hailing app in terms of financing.

According to Uber and Facebook they would offer users their first ride for free - for a trip worth up to $20.

If the partnership is successful, Uber would get access to many new and potential clients - Facebook's Messenger app has around 700 million users worldwide.

"With the ability to request, view, and pay for an Uber ride in Messenger, taking your next ride is as simple as sending a message," Uber said on its news blog.

"You can request a ride from a car service without ever needing to download an extra app or leave a conversation," Facebook explained.

Though the new feature comes as the first transportation partnership for Messenger, the social network has hopes of adding other ride-hailing companies in the future. It is being rolled out slowly to users in the US initially.

According to commentators, the partnership also appeared to be a clever way for Facebook to import and save users' payment information for other Facebook-based purchases.

By default, signing into their Uber account would give Facebook, access to all the payment information users had shared with Uber.

In a sign-in screen users would need to agree to let Messenger access and store their Uber payment info for future purchases they made with merchants other than Uber. Users can opt out by editing their preferences before agreeing and unchecking this option.

To promote the partnership, Uber is offering the first ride for free, up to $20.