UberASSIST has been piloted in Cape Town to aid the transportation of the elderly and people with special needs and requirements.
Most people have encountered an Uber since it was launched in South Africa. On the 12th of April Uber launched a pilot of UberASSIST. UberASSIST is specifically for people that require extra assistance during a commute.
The service aims to step up and offer assistance to those that require it when travelling from one point to the next, offering a safe and reliable option for these riders that are not as mobile and able to move around their city as others.
Transport is generally quite expensive for someone with access needs. It usually involves a paid caregivers assistance as well. UberASSIST will be an affordable option.
“At Uber, we strive to provide convenient options that fit everyone’s needs. uberASSIST is currently piloting in Cape Town for us to gather necessary data, understand how best it can work and understand who uberASSIST is adequately able to cater for,” says Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa
In order to provide the best service to riders with special needs, Uber invited only the top rated driver-partners to be part of the new pilot. They teamed up with DGMT and completed a disability equality course. This will ensure that the drivers have the necessary knowledge and safety requirements needed when assisting people with different accessibility needs.
”Thanks to our partnership with DGMT driver-partners now know how to best provide an efficient and seamless service to senior riders and riders with access needs.”
When requesting a ride, special needs riders can contact the uberASSIST driver-partner ahead of time to inform them of any unique requirements. Riders will need to be able to navigate a smartphone in order to request a vehicle, or have someone close by to help.
UberASSIST vehicles do not have wheelchair accessible ramps, therefore unfortunately cannot accommodate motorised wheelchairs at this stage, but uberASSIST can cater for fold up wheelchairs. They also welcome all service animals.
I have just joined uberassist as a driver niw the problem is that you will get request from as far as 45minutes and when you get there the rider is only taking a 4minutes ride..this does not work it needs to be sorted out pronto