Uber hits one billion rides

"That's a whole lot of riders and drivers sharing the road, special moments, and celebrations together," the company said in a blog post. "Certainly far more than we ever imagined when we got started in San Francisco five and a half years ago."

The ride sharing company said the billionth ride, via UberX, cost £5 ($7.41), and took a customer from London Field, Hackney to Hoxton.

The company said the customer, identified as Marvin, will receive a year's worth of free Uber rides. The driver, identified as Ara, will receive a free vacation to an Uber city of his choice.

Uber said it will also make a donation to the Hackney Pirates, a charity that serves the area where the billionth ride took place.

- CNN