Uber suspends its most affordable ride-hailing service in South Africa

Uber has halted its motorcycle-based ride-hailing service in South Africa, following a limited rollout in parts of the country.

Known as Uber Moto, the service was pitched as an affordable solution for individuals needing to make quick trips across town, with rides costing as little as R18.

The service began with a pilot phase in Johannesburg’s western central business district in January 2025; however, the motorbike ride-hailing option was heavily criticised by road safety experts.

Uber Moto has seen successful rollouts in other countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and India, but the crucial difference is that motorcycles are far more common in these regions.

Consequently, motorists are more accustomed to dealing with them, and road laws are better suited to promote safe motorbike use.

In contrast, local road safety experts like Driving.co.za managing director Rob Handfield-Jones warned that a bike-based e-hailing service was absurd, given South Africa’s high road fatality rates.

Now the service has been paused while the company evaluates feedback from the pilot programme, according to a report by BusinessDay.

A spokesperson for Uber confirmed to the publication that Uber Moto has been suspended for an evaluation period. They also confirmed that Uber Electric, while not listed on the app, is still available in some areas.

Our sister publication MyBroadband contacted Uber for further comment on the suspension of Uber Moto but has yet to receive feedback.

This article will be updated if comment is received.

Earlier this year, Uber said it believed it could create up to 300,000 new earning opportunities for individuals through its Uber Moto service. It claimed there was tremendous growth potential for the motorcycle-based service.

“We have seen a strong traction in new verticals over the past year,” said Deepesh Thomas, Uber General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Moto, in particular, could become a core engine for transportation and e-hailing in South Africa over the next decade.”

Concerns over Uber Moto’s safety in South Africa

When Uber Moto launched, the company highlighted that it had put measures in place to address possible safety concerns.

The drivers are provided with helmets for themselves and the rider, and hair nets are also required for hygiene reasons.

Additionally, the drivers must wear a high-visibility jacket at all times, and they must pass a competency evaluation done via the Moto Driver programme before they are allowed to take passengers.

Like all Uber trips, Moto Drivers are subject to the same tracking and emergency assistance services included in the app to monitor the safety of both the driver and the rider.

Despite these precautions, ride safety experts claimed that the idea is inherently flawed and that some of the safety measures are impractical.

Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa founder and chief instructor Hein Jonker criticised the service, saying it was a foolish idea and a money-making scheme that puts underqualified operators and riders in an unsafe driving environment.

Jonker highlighted that driving a motorbike with another person on the back takes an entirely different mindset, as the driver has to be far more careful mounting, dismounting, braking, turning, and swerving.

Likewise, passengers need to be well acquainted with motorbike riding, as improper seating could jeopardise the safety of both parties.