Uber tweaks its app to ward off rising competition

An Uber application. The in-app chat, also introduced during the year, a feature that makes communication easier and affordable for the driver and rider. PHOTO FILE | AFP 

In Summary

• The company’s latest measure was the introduction of waiting charges after the first five minutes of a driver’s arrival, a way of ensuring that riders do not keep chauffeurs waiting.
• Uber faces tough competition from other similar services such as those of Taxify, Little and Mondo Ride which have also made inroads with some improvements to their services.
• Earlier, Uber introduced the “share trip” function used by both riders and drivers to enable friends and family to keep track of their location as a way of ensuring security.

By BUSINESS DAILY
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Taxi-hailing platform Uber has this year tweaked its app several times in a bid to win riders and drivers, in a rush to ward off rising competition in the transport sector in Kenya.

The company’s latest measure was the introduction of waiting charges after the first five minutes of a driver’s arrival, a way of ensuring that riders do not keep chauffeurs waiting.

Competition

Uber faces tough competition from other similar services such as those of Taxify, Little and Mondo Ride which have also made inroads with some improvements to their services.

Earlier, Uber introduced the “share trip” function used by both riders and drivers to enable friends and family to keep track of their location as a way of ensuring security.

The in-app chat, also introduced during the year, a feature that makes communication easier and affordable for the driver and rider. In August, the firm also added a feature on its app that allows customers to make multiple stops before reaching their final destination.

“We are committed to ensuring that both riders and drivers are always happy with the entire Uber experience. Because of this, we will be rolling out several changes and improvements to the driving experience over the next few weeks.

“These are all changes that driver-partners have requested, and we hope that you enjoy the next leg of this smoother journey,” said Uber in a statement during the unveiling of the “share trip” function mid-year.

Security feature

The firm also introduced a security feature that runs real-time security checks every time drivers go online, to protect their accounts from fraudsters and boost safety of riders using its service.

To give drivers more freedom, the taxi-hailing firm also added an in-app a feature that allows drivers to reject or accept a long trip request.

The feature seeks a driver’s consent before the online-hailing firm links them to a rider taking a long trip.

Uber defines a long trip as a journey taking between 45 minutes and an hour. “This allows drivers to better plan their lives”.

“We are giving drivers more information that helps them make the decision that is right for them. While there are some drivers who aren’t in a position to accept a long trip, there are even more preferring the trips,” said Uber East Africa spokesperson Janet Kemboi earlier.

The firm also partnered with a local insurance firm, First Assurance, in October to offer personal accident cover against rider injury or death locally.