Uber is finally in Kenya, promises users a seamless, efficient and safe ride
After much speculation Uber, the international smartphone app that seamlessly connects riders to drivers, has launched in Nairobi, Kenya this morning.
“After a months worth of speculation, we are so excited to be launching in Nairobi with our uberX product” Alastair Curtis, International Launcher for Africa said
He adds that this new service means that you can now enjoy a seamless, efficient and safe ride at an extremely affordable price. The introduction of our service will revolutionise the way Kenyans go about their daily lives. Our mission for Nairobi is to provide the safest, most reliable rides at the touch of a button.”
To kick of their launch, Uber Nairobi has also teamed up with local restaurant discovery platform, EatOut, to offer complimentary rides during Nairobi Restaurant Week, which kicks off on 22 January 2015. Any new users who sign up for Uber with the promo NRW2015 will get KES 2000 off their first two Uber rides.
For those who don’t know, Uber moves around millions of global citizens every day, offering stylish, reliable and most importantly safe rides. “We are evolving the way the world moves by seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our smartphone technology,” says International Launcher, Alastair Curtis. “By connecting riders and drivers with a safe, reliable and seamless ride, and with unprecedented accountability and transparency built into our system, we have transformed the way people think about their transportation across the world. Nairobi is the sixth city in Africa to launch after Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Lagos and Cairo. ”
For riders, Uber connects users with safe transportation on-demand, wherever and whenever they choose, at the touch of a button. The seamless experience means never having to worry about finding a ride or having cash.
For drivers, Uber’s lead generation software facilitates powerful entrepreneurship opportunities. Drivers make more – and with greater flexibility – than any other option available to them. Every month, Uber empowers 50,000+ global entrepreneurs on the Uber platform.
Uber’s innovative technology means they are streets ahead of their rivals on safety. Their rider and partner drivers benefit from the following gold standard safety measures, designed to improve reliability and rider journeys.
1) Driver Information: Uber riders can see their drivers photo, name, vehicle and registration as well as the drivers star rating when booking – providing riders with all the information they need to ensure a safe and secure ride before even stepping into the car.
2) Live GPS-enabled Map: Uber riders also have access to a live GPS-enabled map throughout their journey and can share this with family, partners or friends, who can then track their swift, secure and safe travel to their destination.
3) Rider Feedback: Riders can rate their drivers at the end of each journey. Uber’s 5 star rating system means Uber riders can give honest feedback about the driver taking them to their destination. Drivers who don’t consistently keep customers happy and get good ratings from passengers, are removed from the Uber service. Uber’s rating system means the rider drives the service levels and can give real-time feedback on their trips.
4) Driver Safety: Uber also takes the safety and security of their partner drivers extremely seriously. Alastair Curtis, International Launcher in Nairobi, says that Uber is a completely cashless system protecting both riders and drivers. “Drivers don’t carry cash; all payments are cashless, electronic and traceable. A rider’s fare is charged automatically and electronically onto their credit or debit card after their trip.”
5) Driver Background Checks: Uber is leading the transportation industry with safety standards second to none. All partner drivers in Nairobi have a commercial license and have insurance, and Uber takes it one step further but ensuring that all partner-drivers undergo a comprehensive biometric criminal background check before they are allowed to drive on the Uber system. In addition, Uber performs regular vehicle inspections to ensure vehicle safety standards are maintained. This makes Uber the safest and most efficient way to get around Nairobi.
To request a ride, users must download the free application for Android, iPhone, Blackberry 7, Windows Phone or register for Uber at www.uber.com/go. To celebrate Uber’s launch into Nairobi all riders will get a 20% discount on their fares, for two weeks only.
