Uber has launched two new ride options in South Africa this week. Uber Hourly and Uber Reserve were added to provide more convenience for riders. And, possibly, they’ll save users money too. Hourly is confined to Cape Town at present, but Reserve is available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town.
Which is great and all, but what are they? What’s the difference between summoning a driver to take you to the next pub meeting and booking one for an hour or more? Well…
Uber Hourly
Customers calling upon Uber Hourly can book a car for a set number of hours. The trip is charged at a minimum hourly rate. The service, which launched earlier this week, lets the rider add stops to their trip. Previously, when a rider wanted to make a stop, the trip would need to be completed first before another ride could begin.
When selecting the Hourly option, users are given a choice of how many hours are required. They are then shown an upfront price. But that’s not where it ends. The price adjusts accordingly based on the distance driven. You know, like a regular Uber.
The addition makes it easier for riders to complete errands while using the service, saving both the driver and rider their money and time. It also makes users feel a little wealthier than they might otherwise. It’s always nice to have a chauffeur. Speaking of which…
There is a premium version of the service known as Black by the Hour, which gives the rider access to a variety of top-of-the-range vehicles. It isn’t just about a better selection of cars, either. Black by the Hour means your driver should arrive at your door fifteen minutes before you’re supposed to depart. Presumably to help with your bags and the small dog in the handbag, that sort of thing.
If you’d like to use Hourly without any of the premium fluff, you can. Hourly is available for UberX, Uber Go, and Uber Comfort. If you’re not paying for luxury, your driver will only show up five minutes earlier than scheduled. You probably still won’t have to load your own bags, though. Unless you insist, that is.
Uber Reserve
Unlike Hourly, Reserve is available for use in more parts of the country. With Reserve, Uber user can book their ride 30 days in advance. This should help with the stress that arises when trying to locate an Uber when you’re running late.
The catch? Only riders using UberBlack have access to the Reserve option. If you’re sure of your schedule that far in advance, though, you probably have an assistant booking these things anyway. Who knows, maybe the plebs will get a shot at Reserve at some point in the future.
“The opportunities provided by the new Uber Hourly, Black by the Hour; and Reserve products give riders the freedom to use and plan their time as they wish, whether they are running multiple errands or attending business meetings, appointments as well as sightseeing and shopping,” said Kagiso Khaole, head of Mobility Operations at Uber Sub Saharan Africa.
Source: Business Insider
