Uber Launches New Product and Safety Features

 

By Fred Felton | Sep. 14, 2022

Uber recently announced the launch of new product and safety features which will be live across various locations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these features will be available in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivorie and Nigeria.

Kagiso Khaole, GM for Uber SSA. | Photo: Uber

‘’As we gear ourselves to mark our 10^th year anniversary next year, we are excited about moving into more cities enabling people to go anywhere and can get anything. Our commitment to raising the bar on safety remains relentless and we continue to work hard to grow the over 3 million earnings opportunities we have created thus far,’’ said General Manager for Uber SSA, Kagiso Khaole.

Uber will now be operational in 8 new cities; these include Owerri and Akure in Nigeria, Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivasha in Kenya and Tamale and Sunyani in Ghana.

As a way to help reduce expenses for riders and increase the demand for drivers, Uber is launching UberX Share in Ghana and Nigeria and Uber ChapChap Share in Kenya. Shared rides allow riders to save up to 30% of the trip fare when matched with a co-rider heading in the same direction and where a match is not possible, they will still be able to save 5% from the ride.

Group travel will also be introduced and with the launch of UberXL in Nairobi, Kenya, riders can now travel as a group with up to six people which is ideal for airport and business trips. In South Africa, riders can now reserve their group travel 30 days in advance with UberXL Reserve and Uber Van Reserve.

Uber Connect allows you to deliver parcels. | Photo: Uber

Uber Comfort will now also be available in Ghana and Uber Connect will soon be available in two additional cities in Nigeria. Uber Connect allows you to deliver parcels and the feature comes built-in with a PIN verification providing users security knowing that their package will be delivered to the correct person.

Uber has also taken the needs of riders into account by releasing new safety features.

‘’Safety is at the core of how we do business and we are proud to announce three new safety features to help improve the experience of users,’’ said Khaole.

These features include Audio Recording which will be tested in South Africa. This will allow riders and drivers to use the app to record and share audio of their trip as evidence in the case of a safety incident. This feature is being piloted in Pretoria and Johannesburg and will be rolled out into the rest of South Africa in Q4 2022.

Another safety feature being rolled out is In-app emergency service in Nigeria. Uber has partnered with Sety to provide on-demand security and medical response for riders and drivers. This will also provide access to a private security response unit.

The other safety feature released is Safety Check Up which will be released across SSA. This feature encourages riders to complete their safety profile and use features such as Trusted Contacts, PIN verification and RideCheck.

There will also be other innovations to look out for from Uber.

These include delivery innovations for Uber Eats by creating a virtual mall experience that goes beyond just food.

Uber Eats expanding. | Photo: Uber

‘’Other categories we have ventured into include convenience stores, pharmacy outlets, alcohol and retail and this shows us that the possibilities are endless,’’ says Cikida Gcali-Mabusela, Head of New Verticals for Uber Eats Sub-Saharan Africa.

Uber Eats has also adopted the growing trend of dark stores, which gives non-traditional merchants opportunities to tap into unchartered markets that they wouldn’t have easily accessed.

You can find Uber Eats in South Africa and Kenya currently. ‘’With a 67% year on year growth of subscriptions on Eats, we are humbled and encouraged by expansion that we have seen in the South Africa and Kenya markets,’’ said Kui Mbugua, General Manager for Uber Eats Kenya.

‘’The future of logistics and technology in emerging markets looks promising,’’ noted Kui Mbugua.

Uber is also looking to expand into other African countries.

‘’Expansion into other African markets is on the cards,’’ said Kagiso Khaole, General Manager for Uber SSA.

Uber also released some interesting stats about their business.

This year Uber completed its 1 billionth trip in Africa.

The most popular drop-off destination in Africa is OR Tambo International Airport.

The number one grocery item on Uber Eats is Albany Bread.

The largest order placed on Uber Eats was for R16 000.

The most searched for item on Uber Eats is Pizza.

Fancy A Trip In The UberChopper With DVBBS?

One lucky Uber rider in Durban and their partner can take to the skies with superstar DJ’s DVBBS

On 1 December 2015 at 5pm all you have to do is open your Uber App and use the promo code DVBBSUBER to unlock the DVBBS view.  Set your pickup location and attempt to request the DVBBS vehicle option. It’s fastest fingers first.  The lucky winner and friend will be picked up and taken to the UberChopper where they will meet the duo and together experience a unique coastal tour of Durban.

The DVBBS on-demand will be available for request along the full coastline.

Ts and Cs apply.

Riders must be 18 years or older to qualify. Riders must have taken at least one Uber trip to qualify.  The winner must be with a friend at the time of pick up.

To request a ride download the Uber App for Android, iPhone, Blackberry 7, Windows Phone or register at www.uber.com/go

For more info: www.uber.com/durban

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Uber is creating a new way of getting around cities

Last week I attended a media round table where we got to meet Alon Lits the Uber Durban and JHB General Manager.  He released to us some new developments from Uber and we also heard from Drivers and Partners.

Alon Lits - General Manager Durban and Johannesburg Uber RSA

Lits explained that Uber acts as lead generation software for the drivers.

He also went on to clarify that you can use debit cards to book a ride. 

He also asked people to please rate their drivers as this is very good for quality control and helps make the whole Uber experience that much better each time.

Uber started in 2010 in San Francisco and is now in over 300 cities and counting.

South Africa was the first country outside of the USA where Uber had 3 cities.

Mr Lits showed us that Durban has seen good growth for Uber.

So far 2000 jobs have been created by Uber in South Africa.

Uber has also pledged globally to create 1 million jobs for women by 2020.

Here is a sample of the arrival times for Uber from when you book a fare:

San Francisco - 2.5 min

New York - 2.7 min

Johannesburg - 4.2 min

Durban - 4.5 min

Mr Lits also shared with us some of the interesting driver experiences: 

 A man once booked an Uber because he wanted to get to hospital and he felt that Uber was faster than an ambulance

            A lawyer uses Uber to get around and at the same time he does business calls in the Uber and he bills clients for that.  So people are now using Uber as a mobile office

Mr Lits went on to inform us that at present in Durban there is a moratorium on the operating licence for Uber as the City does not exactly know what Uber is.  He went on to tell us that they continue talks with the City in the hope that some agreement can be reached.

Here are some of the latest developments from Uber and what you can expect in the future:   

You can split fares with people when you book a fare 

EasyPay Outlets are now offering a Virtual Credit Card System so people without credit cards or debit cards can now book an Uber. 

Deaf people can use an Uber and the driver will be aware of this before they are even picked up.  

Look out for UberPOOL – this is similar to a carpool whereby you join with others to go in an Uber.  Mr Lits explained that you will have the benefit of choosing from your friends for example on Facebook.  People you know, not strangers.  This is all in an effort to reduce pollution.  This will be tested in Sandton later this year. 

UberEATS – you can request and order a burger or meal on demand.  

UberHealth – this was a partnership with Discovery whereby the provided a nurse who administered Flu Vaccines to people who wanted them.  

UberRUSH  – this is a type of courier service that Uber offers.  This is found in New York at the moment.  No word if it will be rolled out elsewhere. 

The drivers explained to us that they really enjoy working with Uber. 

At the moment you can take advantage of a great special that Uber has countrywide in June.  If you book an UberX you can get quite the discount.  For example from Durban to Umhlanga it will cost you around R116 one way.

Uber has seven cities in Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Joburg, Pretoria, Cairo, Nairobi and Lagos)

To request a ride, users must download the free application for Android, iPhone, Blackberry 7, or register for Uber at www.uber.com/go.

For questions visit www.uber.com/capetown | www.uber.com/johannesburg | 

www.uber.com/durban

From today you can also take advantage of this offer from Uber and Umhlanga Life.

If you are a first time user and sign up for Uber you can get your first ride free.

All you have to do is click on the link below:

https://www.uber.com/invite/uberUMHLANGALIFE

Fred Felton 

Twitter @fredfelton 

Car Review - The New Volkswagen up! | Find out how to get free Uber rides in early March

The New Volkswagen up! is something else.

The New Volkswagen up!

On Friday I was invited by Volkswagen and Uber to test out this little number.  What can I say from the start it drew people up to me asking me about it.  'How does it go? How does it handle?'

Well here is what I found out:

This car is exceptionally easy to drive.  Easy gears and very easy to handle.  A nifty little display which shows you which gear you are in and suggests which gear you should move to.

Of course the most important question I always get is 'Does this car have cupholders?'

Yes, yes it does, one in the front and one in the rear.

How many people could fit in it?  Can seat 4.

A very safe car as the doors lock automatically  as you drive off.  Has a lovely little key which you can tuck away and unlock the car from inside your pocket.

With just 3.54m of length it makes parking a breeze.

Easy start, just turn it on.  A great wide display for the driver and a lovely sunroof.

VW up! Dashboard

This car is perfect for day to day driving around a city and handles the ups and downs of city life perfectly.  

The perfect student car or for those with a small budget or for those who want to save on their petrol bill.  

There are two models of this car the Take up! and the Move up!

Specs: The Highlights 

• Capacity (m2) 999 
• Cylinders 3 
• Power (kw) 55 @ 6200
• 5-speed manual gearbox
• 0-100km/h in 13.2 seconds
• Top speed (km/h) 171
• Fuel consumption - urban cycle - 5.9
• Front ventilated disc brakes
• Front axel: Macpherson struts, coil springs
• Anti-roll bar
• Tyres - Steel wheels with wheel covers, embossed emblem (165/70/R14)
• Fuel tank - 35L
• Luggage space - 251 with rear seats folded up or 951 with rear seats folded down
• Audio - Radio (2 loudspeakers and roof aerial) - Sound Plus optional extra
• Airbags for driver and passenger
• ABS Brakes
• Power Steering
• Immobiliser
• Central Locking
• Electric Windows
• Air conditioning

Price: From R133 500 

3-year / 120 000 km warranty

12 year anti-corrosive warranty

15 000km service intervals

Optional Extras

• Driver pack - with parking assist sensors and cruise control help
• Sound 'Plus' pack - 6 additional speakers
• Winter pack - heated front seats and fog lights
• Touch phone music kit - for the tech lover, voice operated, bluetooth system allows you to play and manage your favourite music via USB, audio adapter or your smart phone.

As you can see this is a wonderful car.  I took a break around the Point Waterfront and a man across the road asked, 'Is that the new Volkswagen up! what's it like?

Me: It's lekker

For more info on the car: http://www.newvwup.co.za/

To celebrate the launch of this car South Africans will be able to get free Uber rides in Jozi, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban from 2 - 8 March 2015. 

You may even be chauffeured by Sureshnie Rider or Jonathan Boynton-Lee.

How it works:

1. Sign up for Uber and download the free application here: http://www.uber.com/go/uberup
2. Enter the promo code UBERUP to unlock the unique UberUp view
3. Toggle over to the VW icon and request a ride as per normal
4. A Volkswagen up! will arrive at the user's destination within minutes

Terms and Conditions:

1. Available only in Jozi, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban
2. The service is available for request between: 1pm - 9pm weekdays or 3pm - 11pm weekends from Monday 2 - Sunday 8 March
3. Trips can be a maximum of 20mins in duration or 20km in distance
4. Users limited to 2 free Uber trips in the Volkswagen up! during campaign period
5. Maximum 3 passengers in one vehicle

If you follow Volkswagen and Uber on social media you might just find clues as to when and where the celebs will be making appearances

Twitter: @VolkswagenSA | @Uber_CT | @Uber_Joburg | @Uber_Durban

Facebook: facebook.com/VWSA | facebook.com/UberRSA

Review by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

Need to get around Durban? Try Uber

What is Uber?

Well Uber is a great new fast and reliable transport option for you in Durban.
Available all over the world and now also in South Africa.

It all works with an app.  You download it for your device and request a driver.
You can also track where they are on a map while you wait.
Pick up time is very fast and they are striving to make it even faster.

They have a whole range of vehicles to choose from to fit your budget.

Check them out here - https://www.uber.com/
You can also find them on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Uber_Durban
Find their App in your App Store, just search for Uber


The good folk at Uber have given Umhlanga Life Readers a nice special.
All you have to do is use the promo code UMHLife and you get 
R150 off your first 2 trips if you are a new Uber user.

How cool is that!

So check them out.  A great option for you during this festive season with all the parties you will be going to.

Article by +Fred Felton
Images courtesy of Uber