Ride-hailing company Uber will debut a new service this week for passengers in select cities willing to share their journey with strangers.

Operating much like public transportation, the service — called Express Pool — offers a low-cost option for passengers.

Using the Uber app, people can book a ride to a specific destination. Once booked, Uber matches people in nearby locations destined for similar locales. Once determined, riders are directed to a specific pick-up spot. Additionally, a specific drop-off spot will also be designated for riders in close proximity to their ultimate destinations.

Despite the number of comparisons to bus systems, officials from Uber are quick to highlight the differences between buses and the Express Pool service.

"Buses have fixed pickup and drop-off, fixed routes, fixed time schedules, and they're extremely high-capacity vehicles," said Ethan Stock, product lead on Express Pool. Express Pool, which relies on passenger vehicles, is dynamic, with new routes created each time a passenger requests a ride.

The service, which was first tested in San Francisco and Boston in November, will launch this week in Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, Washington and Miami.