The silent Uber is now in Nairobi, Kenya.
Uber comfort, a premium service by Uber the giant ride hailing company is now in Kenya. On the continent the service has so far been available in Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa. The product was launched on March 6th at the company’s headquarters in Nairobi.
For riders Uber Comfort brings along the much needed option to choose to have a no small talk, silent ride where one can avoid the sometimes unnecessary chit chat. Sometimes you just want to sit and enjoy the ride while looking outside the window.
More than having the option to choose whether they want a silent or conversational ride, customers will also pick their preferred temperature within the car and get seven minutes of waiting time as compared to the five on the other options.
The service is charged higher, at 5% more than the other available Uber ride options and only drivers with new vehicles from 2015 on-wards will be allowed to provide the service.
More than just giving customers a good riding experience, the new product is also aimed at helping Uber drivers increase their earnings. Being that the service is being charged at a higher rate than the other ride hailing options, drivers who are eligible to register for Uber Comfort could see an increase in their earnings if more people opt for the new product.
As stated by the head of Uber East Africa, Imran Manji, “the company is optimistic that if more people choose the new product, then drivers will be happy with their earnings per Kilometer rate.”
Judging from the memes that trend of social media as far as silence within an Uber ride is concerned, the product might just do well in Nairobi.
