To Uber in SA or Not to Uber? 10 Points to Think About
The fast-growing company Uber has been in the news quite a lot lately, as it further entrenches itself as a taxi and transport alternative in several South African cities. So what’s the deal? The process is fairly simple. You join Uber as a customer via your phone on the Uber app, and it costs nothing […]
The fast-growing company Uber has been in the news quite a lot lately, as it further entrenches itself as a taxi and transport alternative in several South African cities. So what’s the deal?
- The process is fairly simple. You join Uber as a customer via your phone on the Uber app, and it costs nothing to join.
- You can also become a driver via the app.
- Once you tap in your location and destination, you can get a fare estimate, plus the details of your driver and your estimated time of arrival at your destination.
- No cash is needed because your details are in the Uber system, as are the driver’s.
- The driver is often an entrepreneurial person trying to make some money on the side.
- The service started in Johannesburg and Cape Town in late 2013, and now also operates in Port Elizabeth and Durban.
- It’s a great way to get home when you’ve had one too many, especially in a country like South Africa where there are too many drunk drivers of the road. Said one Capetonian who promotes the service: “In 2016, there is no excuse to drive when you’re pissed. Use Uber. If you have a child who’s just left school, do not put blind faith in his or her moral compass or judgement and assume that they won’t drive pissed.”
- The Uber service infringes on the business of established taxi drivers, and in cities like Rome and Rio, amongst others, taxi drivers have come into open conflict with Uber drivers.
- The South African government said recently that Uber cars would have to comply with the country’s metered-taxi regulations (similar laws apparently exist in Canada and are being considered elsewhere).
- Uber is a media-savvy company that has already had several promotions in South Africa, such as teaming up with the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cricket South Africa, giving first-time users one free ride.