Londoner takes one billionth Uber trip since company launched, reaps the rewards

Uber grants a lucky person something special in celebration of their billionth trip. — (Image credit: TENGKU BAHAR/AFP/Getty Images)

It was Martin's lucky day: Hiring an UberX on Christmas Eve, the Londoner became the one billionth traveler to use Uber since the company gave its first ride in 2010. To celebrate, Uber gave Martin a year's worth of free rides and his driver, Ara, has been awarded a vacation to anywhere Uber serves, NBC News reports. Additionally, Uber made a donation to a charity in Martin's neighborhood.

2015 was a major year for Uber, which faced bans in Brazil, France, and the unionization of its drivers in Seattle. The company also expanded globally, such as by adding a fleet of boats in Istanbul.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.