Mombasa to Experience Uber Taxi Services

Uber, the US online taxi service has expanded its operations and launched its services to Mombasa in the Coastal region.

The San-Francisco based company launched its uberX online taxi hailing service in the Kenyan market in January, where it gained more popularity due to its unique mode of operating as compared to the local taxis.

Uber’s pricing is tied to time spent and distance covered unlike the fixed charges for the other traditional cab companies, thus the reason for the stiff competition in the taxi market. Riders are required to download the Uber app onto their smartphones or register online to access the taxis.

Uber’s business expansion to Mombasa means more competition despite opposition from the traditional taxi operators who have been in constant fights to see the company exiting Kenya. The traditional taxi operators in Nairobi claimed to have been overtaken since Uber charges its customers for every kilometer covered unlike the others who negotiate depending on the destination.

The stiff competition has led to some of Uber drivers being attacked on several occasions by unknown people who at times act as customers, but ends up attacking the drivers on the way. The latest case happened on Wednesday where one of the taxis was burnt down by unknown people.

With all the challenges being faced by the company, they still keep going. Uber is operating in more than 400 cities in 68 countries across the globe. It is not only in kenya where it has faced difficulties in its operations but also in South Africa where the traditional metered taxi at one time violently demonstrated against the US operator, pulling passengers out of the vehicles and threatening the drivers.

The Uber management stated that they always work towards providing the safest and the most reliable rides at the touch of the button. Uber has made international waves through its revolutionary taxi service that has generally been cheaper than traditional cabs, especially in instances where customers travelling in the same direction car pool to cut costs.

Article by Vera Shawiza.