By Spy Uganda
Kampala: With a significant number of businesses opting for contactless operations across Uganda in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Uber is introducing ‘Uber Cash’, to further promote cashless transactions across all Uber’s products, as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19 through hard cash.
TheSpy Uganda has learnt that ‘Uber Cash’ is facilitated by Flutterwave, an online payment solution, to ensure the easiest and most reliable payment options are made available for locals.
Riders can now prepay for their upcoming trips with Uber Cash, creating a stress-free way to travel, further adding to the convenience this payment method offers.
Digital payments help ensure the well-being of both the rider and driver by limiting unnecessary physical contact and it is the encouraged method of payment should travel be necessary.
“Uber Cash is another way to create a seamless experience for all our users. This new option introduces a method of payment that is easily controllable, convenient and reliable” says Alon Lits, Director of Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While existing payment options will still be available including cash (for rides only), debit card and gift cards, this new feature offers a seamless way to make and further control payment on Uber.
This payment method creates an app-specific account that can be preloaded with any amount, to be used on upcoming trips.
The account can be topped-up via the user’s Ride account and used as and when needed on Uber, allowing the user to control the amount spent on the specific app, further helping them control their budget.
Top-ups are available and work similarly to that of an airtime increases. Riders are able to top-up their balance via a debit/ credit card, MTN, Airtel Tigo, a bank transfer or Barter for payment of use.
There is no need to use a physical card or cash. Once the account has been loaded, all credit is non-expiry meaning that locals can use it whenever and wherever they see fit.
The best thing about it is that Uber Cash limits potential cash deficits should either the driver, courier or user not have enough or exact change, as like a debit transaction, the exact amount will be taken.
However, if there is some cash lying around that one wants to use, riders are able to pay for a trip with this, and ask the driver to load change directly into their Uber Cash account.
To Use Uber Cash, Simply Follow Steps Below:
Open the app menu and tap on Payment
Tap “Add funds”
Change payment method to Uber Cash
Choose a destination
Request a ride
As seamless methods of getting things done become a primary norm, there has been an increase in digital methods of payment and deliveries leading the forefront of daily operations. Uber Cash now offers this, allowing control, convenience and simplicity.
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to help people get a ride at the push of a button – everywhere and for everyone.
They started in 2009 to solve a simple problem – how do you get a ride at the touch of a button? With over 10 billion trips later, we’ve started tackling an even greater challenge: reducing congestion and pollution in our cities by getting more people into fewer cars.
Uber is available in sixteen cities in Sub-Saharan Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Joburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, East London, Nairobi, Mombasa, Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, Abidjan Kampala, Accra, Kumasi and Dar es Salaam.
Overall, the Uber network is available in over 10 000 cities in over 65 countries. To request a ride, users must download the free application for Android, iPhone, Blackberry 7, or register for Uber at www.uber.com/go. For questions visit www.uber.com
