SA Uber drivers can now choose to accept or decline cash trips
Ever had an Uber driver arrive only to leave you in the lurch?
That's likely to be a thing of the past with Uber piloting a new cash indicator feature.
Uber South Africa has introduced the new feature which allows drivers to choose whether they'd like to accept a cash trip request or not.
It follows feedback from driver-partners, the company explains.
It also comes following concerns from drivers that cash trips could open them up to being targeted by criminals.
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Uber South Africa general manager Jonathan Ayache says: "We've received a lot of feedback from driver-partners expressing their need to be able to choose the kind of trips they want to accept. While some driver-partners have asked for the cash option to be removed, other driver-partners feel the cash option has opened them up to new riders and provides the consumer with more choice."
He says cash remains a dominant payment method in Africa, as many riders do not have cards to use on the app.
"Cash removes the barrier for those without a card who want to use Uber. That's why it's not feasible to remove the cash option completely - we believe riders should have the freedom to pay for rides how they wish, but we also believe that driver-partners should have the freedom to accept cash trips or not," Ayache adds.
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The cash indicator will only appear to driver-partners on cash trips.
Uber South Africa stresses the dispatch process will not be impacted at all should a driver choose to decline the request.
The app will then immediately alert another driver-partner.
This also means that driver-partners who decline to accept a cash trip will not face any consequences - they will not be penalised for declining a cash trip, nor will they be deactivated for doing so.
"We are in the business of technology; we've introduced many key safety features that did not exist before the introduction of the Uber in South Africa. We remain committed to using and investing in technological solutions to any issues, safety included."