Uber Go, the affordable ride-hailing option introduced by Uber, seems to be relieving Lagos residents. However, riders have pointed out certain limitations that prevent it from overtaking the market leaders.
Commuting can be quite challenging for those of us who reside in Lagos without a personal vehicle. With approximately 24 million people maneuvering their way through one of the busiest cities globally, the lack of a reliable transportation system has created an opportunity for ride-hailing giants like Uber and Bolt. These platforms offer convenience and comfort to riders, but the fares can often be exorbitant, depending on who you ask.
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Uber Go Main Service
This is where Uber Go comes in. It is a more cost-effective ride-hailing alternative launched by the market leader, Uber. The company claims that Uber Go is cheaper than its main service, UberX, and utilizes fuel-efficient hatchback vehicles like the Suzuki Alto or S-Presso, which are assumed to be more affordable for drivers. Uber Go aims to provide a 35% lower-cost option for riders.
TechCabal spoke with ride-hailing riders who acknowledged the platform’s affordability but also highlighted some challenges that need to be addressed.
One of the riders stated that she relies on ride-hailing service due to its affordable fares. However, she mainly uses the service when traveling to specific neighborhoods on the Island. Lola expressed her concern about the limited availability of Uber Go in certain areas of Lagos.
“I started using Uber Go while I was attending Lagos Law School for trips to the Island, and the fare is usually under N1,000. But unlike other ride-hailing options, Uber Go isn’t accessible everywhere in Lagos,” she stated.
During a ride, one of its drivers voiced their grievances regarding the vehicle models provided to them, which have made their working conditions challenging. As a result, the drivers recently staged a protest against Moove, the automobile financing startup that leases the cars to them. The driver expressed,
“These cars are not easy to maintain, and they make our work difficult. On top of that, we still have to contend with issues related to the number of daily trips and daily remittances.”
Area of Operation
Uber Go operates only in select areas of Lagos, including parts of the Island (excluding Ajah), Yaba, Surulere, and recently Ikeja. I attempted to book a ride using the Uber app from Ikorodu on Monday, but the Uber Go option was unavailable, indicating that the service isn’t accessible in my area. Reports suggest that Uber plans to expand its subsidiary to other regions of Lagos soon.
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