Accra, Ghana, September 11, 2018//-Uber has insisted that it would not adjust its 25% service fee for its driver-partners in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The adamant posture of Uber is taking place at the time when some driver-partners in Accra, Ghana are on sit down protest over the service fee.
The General Manager of Uber West Africa, Ms Lola Kassim told journalists in Accra on Monday, September 11, 2018 that maintain that the 25% service charge is a standard fee across the SSA markets.
The SSA market comprises of Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana.
Ms Kassim explained that the cost of running the Uber app, improving driver and rider experience and providing the 24/7 Global Support and state-of-the-art hubs is from the 25% standard service charge.
She stated: “We have a standard service fee in all cities which is 25%. The cost of running the Uber app comes out of Uber’s service fee from each fare. This service fee has been put in place, so the app can be continually improved in order for it to be seamless and efficient for riders and drivers so that we can market to riders and continue to create economic opportunities for the people of Ghana”.
Ms Kassim who was flanked by the Head of Communications for Uber West Africa, Francesca Uriri justified: “Simply reducing our service fee does not make business sense for Uber or our driver-partners because it does nothing to grow the business.
We have seen that reducing the ride cost helps grows the number or Uber customers – which means more business for driver-partners”.
She continued: “Of course, for the strategy to work, Uber needs to be able to market to riders. The cost of doing this, and running the business, comes out of Uber’s service fee from each fare.
Uber wants to get more people to choose to leave their car at home and let Uber get them to where they need to be. Drivers-partners are vital in achieving this vision. We’re in this business together and, together, we will make it work for all of us”.
Engaging with driver-partners
“While we will not be adjusting the service fee, we’re committed to making Uber the most affordable option to move around and our experience shows us we can make that happen while making Uber the best possible option for driver-partners to earn a living,” she said.
Besides, Uber has local teams as well as Greenlight hubs in Accra, and Kumasi in the Ashanti regional capital of Ghana to provide face-to-face expert assistance to drivers.
To better understand the concerns of diver-partners, Uber holds regular focal group meetings to iron out these concerns. Uber also engages with drivers via direct emails to further readdress their challenges, Ms Kassim stressed.
Drivers have number of channels available to engage with Uber including: daily office hours, 24/7 support and regular partner roundtables, she stated.
Promotions for riders
Touching on promotion packages, Ms Kassim admitted that; “from time to time, Uber runs promotions for riders. The purpose of these promotions is to increase the number of riders using Uber, which ultimately leads to higher earnings for driver-partners”. But Uber driver-partners said these promotions are cost to them.
She reacted: “Driver earnings are not affected by rider promotions. Promotions offered to riders are paid for by Uber on behalf of riders”.
Incentives
“We currently have incentives in place for all drivers to boost their earnings in Accra. We are also helping drivers reduce the amount of service fee owed to Uber by matching payments”.
Commitment to Uber driver-partners
Ms Kassim used the opportunity to assure all driver-partners that Uber was committed to supporting the men and women who drive with Uber across Ghana.
She puts it: “Uber succeeds when our partners succeed, and our teams are working hard every day to ensure drivers using our app continue to thrive.
Currently, Uber has over 3 000 active driver-partners and is recording some
140,000 active riders in Ghana, according to the officers.
African Eye Report
