Afrigather Uber’s cheaper ride-hailing possibility, Uber Go seems to be offering reduction to Lagos residents. However riders say it could’t displace the market leaders due to some shortcomings.
In case you reside in Lagos and also you don’t personal a automotive like me, chances are high your largest problem is commuting. With about 24 million individuals scrambling to navigate their method round one of many busiest cities on this planet, the absence of a dependable transport system has introduced a market alternative for ride-hailing behemoths akin to Uber and Bolt which supply ease of getting a trip and luxury for riders. However the fares can generally price an arm and a leg, relying on who you ask.
Enter Uber Go, a less expensive ride-hailing possibility, launched by market chief Uber. According to the company, it guarantees to be extra inexpensive than UberX—its major ride-hailing service—with fuel-efficient hatchback automobiles—Suzuki Alto or S-Presso—which are presumed to be extra inexpensive to keep up for drivers working on the Uber app and presents 35% decrease price various for riders.
Uber Go riders who spoke to TechCabal said whereas they’re bought on the ride-hailing platform due to its affordability, there are nonetheless challenges that should be addressed.
Low cost, however not for everybody
Lola, a rider who requested to be recognized by solely her first title, stated that though Uber Go has grow to be her go-to ride-hailing app due to its inexpensive fares, she principally makes use of it when she goes to sure neighbourhoods on the Island. She complains that the supply of Uber Go in choose areas within the state is a problem by itself.
“I began utilizing Uber Go whereas I used to be in Lagos legislation faculty to locations on the Island and the fare is usually lower than N1,000. However the service isn’t accessible in every single place in Lagos in contrast to different ride-hailing choices,” she advised TechCabal over a name.
She isn’t incorrect. Uber Go is at the moment operational in choose areas in Lagos together with components of the Island (excluding Ajah), Yaba, Surulere, and recently Ikeja. On Monday, I attempted to e book a trip on the Uber app from Ikorodu, however the Uber Go possibility was lacking—a sign that the service isn’t accessible in my space. Reports have it that Uber is planning to increase Uber Go to different components of Lagos.
A viable various?
Val Adetunji, one other rider, stated he finds Uber Go instead, although he makes use of Bolt extra usually than different ride-hailing apps. “I’m not overly enthusiastic about it [Uber Go] as a result of I have already got a choice. However by way of pricing, Uber Go is cheaper, so I’m usually tempted to make use of it,” he stated.
Bayo Bankole says he makes use of Uber Go each time he’s searching for the most cost effective fares. He, nonetheless, expressed issues about a number of the options of the automobiles. “As a result of the automobiles are small, it isn’t advisable for individuals who want to carry masses, say photographers going for a photograph shoot. In case you are simply travelling gentle, then Uber Go is okay. If you want to journey with baggage, then you definitely may wish to think about different apps,” he stated.
Chidera Okpara, one other rider shares an analogous view, saying: “I believe Uber Go is sweet for solo journeys. Additionally due to the sizes of the automobiles, the drivers can all the time discover a option to beat visitors.”
However, for Bankole, whereas the velocity restrict on the Uber Go automobiles is vital, it may pose a problem in sure circumstances. “There was a day on Third Mainland Bridge that I used to be travelling with Uber Go, the street was free however the driver couldn’t transcend their velocity restrict of round 80 kilometres per hour else the automotive begins beeping. So in a state of affairs the place there’s a safety concern at night time, the car gained’t be capable of drive quicker,” he narrated to TechCabal.
Over a trip, an Uber Go driver claimed that the mannequin of the automobiles has significantly made working situations tough and therefore their recent protest towards Moove, the auto financing startup that rents out the automobiles to drivers. “These automobiles aren’t very easy to keep up and so they make our work laborious. Even with this, we nonetheless need to take care of issues of the variety of day by day journeys and day by day remittances,” the driving force stated.
