Uber has officially launched its taxi app in Ghana’s capital city, Accra, and is enthusiastic to explore the city’s possibilities.
The global ride-hailing app, Uber has named Accra as the latest African city to join Uber’s expanding network.
Due to the city’s thriving urban population, Accra’s 2.27 million residents will have access to efficient transportation via the ride-sharing network. Uber is ecstatic to be exploring the possibilities of this fascinating city.
Uber in Accra
Uber’s economical, safe, and dependable transportation has made it popular in cities all over the world. It links drivers and riders in real-time, at the push of a button, using an easy-to-use platform. With over 4 million people using the streets in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), there is a clear demand for Uber’s services.
The World Bank reports that since 2014, mobile phone penetration exceeded 100% in Ghana, compared to 1% in 2000. The people of Ghana also benefit from the increasing availability of high-speed Internet, creating the perfect environment for information technology-enabled services such as Uber.
“Accra is a lively, connected city that Uber is thrilled to be debuting in,” says Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa. Its rapid development and many ethnic communities make it an intriguing location to launch our service.”
“At Uber, we bring the world closer together by connecting global citizens to transport in a growing number of cities. We see Accra as a natural fit because its people are willing to embrace innovation and technology and love products that are cool, exclusive and offer a new experience. We are able to deliver just that, safely, reliably and affordably.”
Get Your Ride
There will be no more street hails or waiting outside for a ride. You can activate the Uber app from any location and wait for your ride in comfort. That means no more waiting for a cab on the street or trying to find a bus stop late at night.
You can readily recognize the driver and vehicle that will be picking you up. You can see a driver’s initial name, photo, and licence plate number after he or she accepts your request. You can also see whether anyone else has had a positive experience with him or her. Your initial name and rating are also visible to the driver.
If there is any confusion about pick-up information, you can contact the driver—and vice versa—through the app.
Team Uber with the first driver-partners in Accra. Credit: Africa Newsroom
After the Ride
- Feedback and ratings after every trip. After every ride, you and your drivers need to rate each other and provide feedback. Our safety team reviews this information and investigates.
- 24/7 Support. If something happens in a car, whether it’s a traffic accident or altercation between you and your driver, our customer support staff are ready to respond to any issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Rapid Response. We have a dedicated Incident Response Team to answer any more urgent issues. If we receive a report that a driver or rider has acted dangerously or inappropriately, we suspend their account, preventing him or her from accessing the platform while we investigate.
Behind the Scenes
- Always on the map. Accountability is one of the things that makes riders feel safe in an Uber. We use GPS to keep a record of where a driver goes during the ride, allowing us to verify that the most efficient routes are being used, which creates accountability and a strong incentive for good behavior.
- Working with law enforcement. In cases where law enforcement provides us with a valid legal process, we work to get them the facts, for example by providing trip logs. Again, transparency and accountability are at the heart of the Uber experience.
- Pre-screening drivers. All drivers must undergo a screening process before they can use the Uber app.
Lits adds, “Our platform contributes to a broader evolution in global transportation where riders are empowered to access transport on their terms, in a way that is useful to them and sustainable for our cities. We are excited to add the vibrant, growing economy of Accra to our global network.”
Uber is celebrating its launch in Accra by providing free rides. Ghanaians can try out the new service by accessing their complimentary rides on the Uber app from Thursday 9 June at 12:00 until Sunday 12 June at midnight.
Source: Africa Newsroom
