By 
From Joseph Ojumu, Accra
News reaching The Difference indicates that the West African city of Accra has presently joined the fast-growing Uber train.
Underscoring the new resolve of the management of the technology-enhanced transportation service providers to extend its booming network all accross the world, and at the same time also, not excluding Africa.
The Ghanaian capital and rapidly expanding business hub is the first city in Ghana to receive the service.
A statement from the organisation explains that its service is targetted at tapping into the vibrancy of the Accra metropolis.
‘With a thriving urban population, Accra’s 2.27 million people will have access to efficient transport through the ride-sharing platform. Uber is excited to explore the potential of this dynamic city.
‘Uber has proven popular across the world’s cities for its provision of affordable, safe and reliable transport. Through an easy-to-use platform, it connects drivers with riders in real time, at the touch of a button. With over 4 million people using the streets in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), there is a clear demand for Uber’s services. The World Bank reports that since 2014, mobile phone penetration exceeded 100% in Ghana, compared to 1% in 2000. The people of Ghana also benefit from increasing availability of high-speed Internet, creating the perfect environment for information technology-enabled services such as Uber.
Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa says, “Accra is bustling, connected city that Uber is proud to be launching in. It’s rapid growth and multiple ethnic communities make it an exciting place to introduce our service.”
“At Uber, we bring the world closer together by connecting global citizens to transport in a growing number of cities. We see Accra as a natural fit, because its people are willing to embrace innovation and technology and love products that are cool, exclusive and offer a new experience. We are able to deliver just that, safely, reliably and affordably.”
The company is also saying that with its service, customers would be assured of timely and convenient services.
‘No more street hails or waiting outside to find a ride. You can start the Uber app from anywhere and wait safely for your car to arrive. That means no standing on the street to hail a cab or struggling to find the nearest bus stop late at night.
You can easily identify the driver and car coming to pick you up. When a driver accepts your request, you see his or her first name, photo, and license plate number. You can also check whether others have had a good experience with him or her. In addition, the driver can see your first name and rating.
You can contact the driver—and vice versa— through the app if there is any confusion around pick-up details.’
It is also promising and offering a sharing experience:
‘Share your ETA and location. You can easily share your ride details, including the specific route and estimated time of arrival, with friends or family for extra peace of mind. They’ll receive a link where they can see in real time the name and photo of the driver, their vehicle, and where you are on the map until you arrive at your destination—and they can do all of this without having to download the Uber app themselves.’
Lits adds, “Our platform contributes to a broader evolution in global transportation where riders are empowered to access transport on their terms, in a way that is useful to them and sustainable for our cities. We are excited to add a the vibrant, growing economy of Accra to our global network.”
The firm is celebrating its launch in Accra by providing free rides. Ghanaians can try out the new service by accessing their complimentary rides on the Uber app. These free rides are available from Thursday 9 June at 12:00 until Sunday 12 June at midnight, users are limited to a total of 6 free rides and each trip is limited to maximum of GHS 20 each, and are are only valid for trips that start & end in the Accra in the coverage area.
Uber is a technology company that connects riders and drivers at the touch of a button. Available in 467 cities across 72 countries, the Uber platform is evolving the way the world moves. Uber’s mission is to change the way citizens of the world move, work and live. It aspires to transform the way people connect with their communities and to bring reliability, convenience and opportunity to transport systems.
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