Uber has launched a service called UberBOAT in the city of Istanbul that ferries passengers back and forth across the Bosporus strait.

The company has tied up with a local firm, Navette-Tezman Holding, that operates speed boats that have a capacity of 7-10 passengers each.

Istanbul straddles between two continents and millions of people make the commute between Asia and Europe each day.

Ferries, an underground metro tunnel and two bridges serve commuters, however, the city still suffers from massive traffic congestion which according to TomTom is the worst in the world.

Passengers looking to cross the Bosporus strait by UberBOAT will pay a minimum of 50 liras ($19), a big step up from the 2.15 liras someone would pay to board public ferries.