Uber has launched UberBODA in Nairobi Kenya, over seven months after it began operations in Kampala, Uganda in a move expected to provide residents of Nairobi a quick commute from one place to another on a Boda-Boda motorcycle by using the Uber app.
UberBoda will directly compete with TaxifyBoda which launched in Kenya in March this year and other services such GetBoda, VutaRide, SafeBoda, BusyBoda among others.
Not only does the launch of a new product like uberBODA offer an affordable and reliable manner of transportation within the city, it enables uberBODA driver-partners in Nairobi to further grow their small businesses. With Uber’s technology, it is possible to focus on the safety of passengers and drivers before, during, and after every trip and the uberBODA product will follow the same strict safety measures applied to all Uber products.
According to Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Vice President for Uber in Europe Middle East and Africa, “With uberBODA, we provide the same seamless door to door Uber experience passengers are used to with Uber, but on the back of a Boda-Boda—an easy, affordable option tailored to move through the traffic on short trips around town. Passengers will still be able to see all their driver-partners details, such as their name, photo, and license plate number. Passengers can also see whether others have had a good experience with the uberBODA driver and they will be able to contact each other via the app if there is any confusion around pick-up details.”
UberBODA says it has met all National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) driver requirements and additional road safety training and all uberBODA driver-partners will undergo a strict screening process and will be required to have all relevant permits in order to operate on the Uber app.
Each driver-partner will also attend an information session which will include education on the Uber app as well as road safety tips. Drivers will be provided with a reflective jacket as well as a helmet for both the passenger and driver. In addition, as of the 21 December 2018, passengers and drivers will benefit from Injury Protection provided by UAP-Old Mutual to ensure they have more peace of mind when using uberBODA.
To request a ride with uberBODA, passenger simply need to open the Uber app and select uberBODA. uberBODA has a base fare of KES 55, minimum fare of KES 60 and KES 14 per KM. Passengers can access uberBODA in all neighbourhoods of Nairobi except the CBD.
The introduction of new product options is common for Uber, with a variety of products in their app for passengers and driver-partners around the world. In Kenya, Uber has uberCHAPCHAP, uberX, uberSELECT and uberPOA.