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Mombasa Residents Set to Enjoy More Affordable Rides on Uber

BY Soko Directory Team · October 28, 2016 06:10 am

Uber in Kenya has announced today that residents of Mombasa and visitors to the city will be able to ride for less thanks to reduced fare rates on UberX. The move follows hot on the heels of similar fare reductions in Nairobi, which proved very popular amongst driver-partners and riders in the capital city.

From today, anyone booking an UberX ride in Mombasa can expect to pay the following:
  • Base rate: Ksh 50

  • Ksh 35 per kilometre

  • Ksh 3 per minute

  • Ksh 150 minimum fare

  • Ksh 150 for a ride cancellation

According to Kagure Wamunyu, Uber’s Operations Lead in Kenya, since fares were reduced in  Nairobi in July this year, the number of people taking advantage of the reliability, convenience and affordability of Uber has increased steadily. “By lowering prices you see a much higher demand for rides which means driver-partners can spend more of every hour moving people and less time waiting around for a paying ride.” Wamunyu explains “This is exactly what happened when we reduced fares in Nairobi. Driver-partners started earning over 70% more in fares for every hour they work. This was led by a 100% increase in the number of trips requested from first time Uber users, showing that the reduced prices helped reach new riders.”
Wamunyu is confident that the same win-win scenario will unfold when prices are reduced in Mombasa. “Tens of thousands of people across Mombasa are already using Uber to get from point A to B,” she explains, “we’re committed to making Uber one of the most affordable options to move around the city and our experience shows us we can make that happen while making Uber one of the best possible platforms for driver-partners to earn a living.”

By reducing prices, it’s possible for Uber to unlock more business for driver-partners through increased demand for trips from riders. “Years of global experience have shown us that lower prices  are very effective in boosting rider demand,” Wamunyu  explains, “and the more people request Uber rides, the more drivers will spend time with riders in the backseat and less time sitting waiting for a request.”

Uber Communications Associate - East Africa, Janet C. Kemboi reviews the Uber app on her phone during a press briefing where the company announced a price cut to benefit Uber riders and driver-partners in Mombasa . Looking on is Kagure Wamunyu Operations Lead - Uber Kenya. The move is set to see residents and visitors enjoy more affordable rides in Mombasa.
Uber Communications Associate – East Africa, Janet C. Kemboi reviews the Uber app on her phone during a press briefing where the company announced a price cut to benefit Uber riders and driver-partners in Mombasa . Looking on is Kagure Wamunyu Operations Lead – Uber Kenya. The move is set to see residents and visitors enjoy more affordable rides in Mombasa.
Based on the success already seen in Nairobi and Lagos, the company believes this change will work, but while the city adjusts to the new prices, Uber is putting in place temporary payment guarantees for driver-partners so that they don’t lose out.
Wamunyu also explained that, as is typically the case these lower prices are not always permanent and partner economics are very closely monitored. “In the unlikely event that the lower prices don’t result in driver-partners making the same or more, Uber will rethink the fare reductions,” she points out.
Uber is committed to making sure people have a safe, reliable and affordable way to move around Mombasa. “Our driver-partners are key to our ability to deliver on this promise to riders, which is why we proactively seek out ways to support them and help grow their small businesses,” says  Wamunyu. Mombasa driver-partners when registering for a Total Fuel Card get a Ksh 3.50 discount off every litre of fuel thanks to a partnership between Uber and Total. Drivers also have access to excellent offers on vehicle finance, servicing and maintenance through Uber’s partnerships with key businesses across Kenya.
Uber is all about making sure people have a convenient, safe and affordable ride at the tap of a button. With these changes, Uber hopes even more people in Kenya will chose to leave their car at home and let Uber help them get where they need to be.

Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system.Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory

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