Corporate News
A smartphone displays the Uber app of the timing and availability of
taxis at Raffles place financial district in Singapore in October last
year. PHOTO | AFP
By DOREEN WAINAINAH, dwainainah@ke.nationmedia.com
In Summary
- Riders will be required to download the Uber app onto their smartphones or register online to access taxis operated by the San Francisco-based company.
- Customers will be charged at a base rate of Sh100 plus a charge of Sh4 per minute spent on the ride and an additional Sh60 per kilometre.
- UberX said it would be using Toyota Corollas, Fielders and equivalent car models for customer rides.
US online taxi service firm Uber, has set a minimum
charge of Sh500 for its Nairobi cab service. The company launched its
uberX online taxi hailing service in the Kenyan market on Wednesday.
Riders will be required to download the Uber app onto their
smartphones or register online to access taxis operated by the San
Francisco-based company.
“After a month’s worth of speculation, we are so
excited to be launching in Nairobi with our uberX product. Our mission
for Nairobi is to provide the safest, most reliable rides at the touch
of a button,” said Alastair Curtis, Uber International Launcher for
Africa.
Uber has made international waves through its
revolutionary taxi service that has generally been cheaper than
traditional cabs, especially in instances where customers travelling in
the same direction car pool to cut costs.
Customers will be charged at a base rate of Sh100
plus a charge of Sh4 per minute spent on the ride and an additional Sh60
per kilometre.
UberX said it would be using Toyota Corollas, Fielders and equivalent car models for customer rides.
Customers will get a 20 per cent discount in the
first two weeks of the launch. Cancellation of bookings will attract a
charge of Sh300.
Riders using the app will be able to see the driver’s photo, name, vehicle and registration number.
According to the statement from Uber, the driver’s
star rating will also be included when the booking is being made. Rating
of the drivers will be done by the customers to determine whether they
will remain in the service of the company or be removed if they have
consistent poor ratings.
Safety issues concerning Uber drivers have been highlighted in the news after a rape incident in Delhi, India.
“All partner drivers in Nairobi have a commercial
licence and have insurance, and Uber takes it one step further by
ensuring that all partner-drivers undergo a comprehensive biometric
criminal background check before they are allowed to drive on the Uber
system. In addition, Uber performs regular vehicle inspections to ensure
safety standards are maintained,” said Mr Curtis in a statement.
“Drivers don’t carry cash; all payments are
cashless, electronic and traceable. A rider’s fare is charged
automatically and electronically onto their credit or debit card after
their trip.”
The move, according to him is to ensure the safety of the driver too.
In addition, the rider will be able to access a
live GPS-enabled map which they can share with friends or family. This
is to ensure that the security as well as the swiftness of the journey.
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