Uber South Africa Enhances Inclusivity With New Services Designed For Riders With Disabilities

Statistics South Africa reports a national disability prevalence rate of 15.7%, encompassing visual, hearing and physical impairments, among others. The data also reveals that households led by individuals with disabilities often have limited access to basic services. Despite existing legislation and policies aimed at universal access, a significant portion of South Africa's public transport system still lacks fully accessible services, creating considerable daily challenges for people with disabilities, says Uber.

In response to the need for more inclusive transportation, Uber South Africa announces enhancements to Uber Assist, a service designed to support riders with accessibility requirements, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. These improvements include a national driver training programme (available both in-person and online), a dedicated fleet to boost reliability and new features such as self-identification for service animals, adds Uber.

Cassie Jaganyi, Head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa, says, "Uber is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible transportation for everyone. We acknowledge the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities, and the enhancements to Uber Assist, coupled with our commitment to driver training, underscore Uber's dedication to addressing the needs of riders with disabilities."

In partnership with Shonaquip, an enterprise that enables the inclusion of children with disabilities and their families across Southern Africa, Uber aims to train over 1 200 drivers in disability awareness and rider support by October 2025, building a more informed, reliable and respectful experience for all riders using Uber Assist. The training includes accredited modules on disability awareness, assistance protocols and service animal etiquette, with mandatory annual refreshers to reinforce standards, says Uber.

Tarryn Tomlinson, the founder of Able2Travel and LiveAble — a concierge service to make travel easier for people living with disabilities and their loved ones by grading all their experiences for travel — has been a frequent user of Uber to get around because of the lack of access with public transportation. "The Uber drivers are helpful in getting me in and out of the car, they are respectful in their approach and I have never felt uncomfortable. It is wonderful to see Uber's commitment to training more drivers to ensure that other riders have an experience as pleasant as mine have been," says Tomlinson.

To further ensure inclusivity on the platform and through Assist, is adjusting the pricing structure and Assist trips are now priced at Uber Go's rate, the companies most affordable option, says Uber.

Uber is committed to ongoing dialogue, monitoring and co-creation with industry stakeholders. Additionally, organisations like Shonaquip will remain involved as the programme rolls out, offering feedback and oversight to ensure service quality and responsiveness, concludes Uber.

For more information, visit www.uber.com. You can also follow Uber on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor