While some cities are clamping down on Uber drivers, the business model enabled the economic empowerment of drivers, passenger safety and service of transport, transforming the way users think about their transportation options in South Africa, according to the company.
In fact, it claims that Uber has created over 2 000 jobs across the country since launching in late 2013.
Uber’s lead generation software facilitates a powerful entrepreneurship opportunity. Every month, Uber empowers hundreds of entrepreneurs to become small business owners in South Africa. This contributes significantly to the 50 000+ global entrepreneurs who are empowered monthly on the Uber platform.
Existing transport operators and drivers are also partnering with Uber as a means of growing their business and bringing in the consumer, partner and transparency-related benefits.
“Uber does not own any vehicles nor do we employ any drivers, we are a technology company that connects riders with drivers in their area. What this means is that all cars are privately owned and the drivers work for themselves. Some of our partner-drivers own their own cars, others buy a couple of cars and then employ drivers. Rider choice and driver opportunity is at the core of what Uber does. We are proud to be empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs every month in South Africa,” says Alon Lits, GM of Uber Johannesburg and Durban.
Anthony le Roux, GM of Uber Cape Town, says Uber is focused on delivering as much value from the platform to partner-drivers as possible, and it will continue to support and empower their partner-drivers through greater economic opportunities.
“Uber is using a variety of corporate relationships to ensure that every opportunity and partnership we have developed is available to our partner-drivers. We want to provide them with as many benefits as we can, so they can grow and succeed in their businesses. These opportunities include better financing options, discounts on vehicle ware items and car washes, to name a few,” says Le Roux.
Training and upskilling all partner-drivers are important focus areas for Uber, and paramount to its success.
Each partner-driver is taken through an in-depth three step training process, where they learn how the Uber app and GPS navigation system works, various scenarios they might encounter while on the road, and the importance of putting the customer first and how to provide them with the best service possible. Uber provides partner-drivers with a mobile device pre-loaded with the Uber driver app, GPS navigation and data. Uber also offers them one-on-one training on how to use the device if they have any queries.
Commenting on the future of Uber in South Africa, Le Roux says: “We are immensely proud of the impact Uber has had in South Africa to date, creating over 2 000 jobs across the country since launching in late 2013. The future, however, is significantly more exciting. Uber is fundamentally changing the way that people are moving around their cities and for the first time, creating a viable, cheaper and more efficient alternative to vehicle ownership.
“This means more riders, more partner-drivers and loads more jobs. If things continue going the way they are, Uber could easily create another 15 000 jobs across South Africa over the next two years.”