Rinchi
TechInAfrica – Uber Kenya has just launched its new product, UberASSIST, a platform to support elderly people and disabled riders. UberASSIST helps those with access needs to travel effectively so that it makes them enjoy the journey.
Loic Amado, General Manager of Uber in East Africa said, “Everyone deserves an opportunity to travel freely within their own city, and with UberASSIST, we are able to provide reliable transportation to senior citizens and riders with access needs.”
As a part of UberASSIST implementation, Uber in collaboration with Rescue by Flare hosted information sessions to more than 400 driver-partners. The information sessions took two days and equipped those driver-partners with required skills to better support senior and disabled riders. In the future, Uber will host another information sessions for more drivers who will drive on UberASSIST.
UberASSIST will be priced the same as the UberX, but riders will be informed of the fare in advance. The launching of Uber’s new product is one of Uber’s mission to offer safe, low-cost, and reliable transportation for everyone and everywhere.
How UberASSIST works? When those with needs order a ride, they are able to contact an UberASSIST driver upfront to inform the driver of any special requirements. Moreover, riders can also rate every trip to make sure that drivers receive feedback about the service they provide to passengers with special needs.
With UberASSIST platform, riders are required to use a smartphone to make an order on and have a closer vehicle to help them ride in. Unfortunately, UberASSIST vehicles don’t have wheelchair accessible ramps, thus, is not able to adapt motorized wheelchair. However, foldup wheelchairs are catered.
