Uber's carpooling service launches in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Uber is launching its carpooling service in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The new option, UberPool, is for people who want to cut the cost of their rides by splitting the fare with strangers who are traveling on similar routes.

Uber says it could reduce rates for users by about 50 percent. UberPool will match two users per ride but allow each to have one person accompany them - for a total of four passengers.

The service is already offered in other congested cities such as New York, San Francisco and Paris.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.