By Mark Kawalya
Uber has rolled out a new premium service called Uber Comfort, tailored to meet the specific preferences of customers in Nairobi. This service promises a seven-minute waiting time, a departure from the typical five-minute wait offered by other Uber ride options.
Customers opting for Uber Comfort will incur a 5% higher charge compared to other existing options, such as Uber X. However, only drivers with newer vehicles manufactured since 2015 will be eligible to register for this service. When requesting a ride via the app, Uber Comfort users can select their preferred cabin temperature, which drivers will adjust prior to pick-up. Additionally, passengers can specify whether they prefer a silent ride or a conversational one.
Currently, drivers’ eligibility for this service is not based on ratings, but rather on the age of the vehicle.“ As time goes by, additional thresholds like inspection could be introduced. This ensures that a car is in good condition. But we are currently limiting the eligibility requirements to cars newer than 2015,” said Uber head of communications Lorraine Onduru.
Speaking at the launch of the new service at the company’s headquarters on March 6, Uber’s East Africa head, Imran Manji, emphasized that Uber Comfort presents an opportunity for drivers with newer cars to increase their earnings. Last year, Uber experienced a 10.96% increase in business trips, with driver commissions tied to product demand.
“The commission that drivers earn at Uber is based on product demand,” said Manji, “We are optimistic that if more customers choose our new product, drivers will be happy with their earnings per kilometer rate.”
While Uber Comfort is now available in South Africa, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, the service has been running in the US market since 2019. Its introduction in Nairobi is limited to fuel-powered cars due to challenges within the larger ecosystem, including governmental and manufacturing delays. Despite these limitations, Uber Comfort represents a significant enhancement in the ride-hailing experience for customers in Nairobi, offering greater convenience and customization options.
