Uber launches cheaper rides in South Africa – From R18 per trip

Uber is rolling out a significantly cheaper ride-hailing option in South Africa.

Known as Uber Moto, the new option allows commuters to order a driver with a motorcycle that they can ride on the back of for short trips.

The e-hailing company is currently piloting the ride option in parts of the Johannesburg CBD, after which it will be rolled out to other parts of the country, pending the service’s reception.

What you need to know

While Uber Moto is new to South Africa, it has been available in other countries for nearly a decade, with the first pilot taking place in Bangkok, Thailand in 2016.

The motorbike-based e-hailing concept is primarily intended for busy city centres, offering a new transport solution for people making short trips around town.

The benefits of the system are two-fold: firstly, it is much quicker than using a car, as bikes are much better equipped to navigate tight city streets and rush hour traffic jams.

Secondly, it is significantly cheaper than other options, as Uber is currently charging as little as R18 for bike trips around Joburg.

To give an example of an alternative, a trip from Braamfontein to Kensington – a distance of approximately 9km – costs around R76.22 using the cheapest Uber Go car option, so Uber Moto has a clear advantage if you want to get from one side of town to the other for the lowest cost.

Furthermore, the company is currently offering a 35% discount for the first three rides for the first 50,000 customers to use Uber Moto before 31 March 2025 as a way to encourage participation during the trial period.

“We are testing a potential solution to address first- and last-mile transportation in areas with limited transportation coverage to complement existing transport options,” said Cassie Jaganyi, head of communications at Uber South Africa.

“We are in conversation with the relevant stakeholders to test and evaluate for broader expansion.”

Addressing safety concerns, Uber stated that a number of measures have been put in place that both the driver and rider must adhere to.

Drivers are provided with helmets for both themselves and their riders, and hair nets must also be worn to ensure adequate hygiene.

The driver must furthermore wear a high-visibility jacket at all times, and all operators must pass a competency evaluation through the Moto Driver programme before they are permitted to take customers.

Additionally, Moto trips are subject to the same in-app live route tracking and emergency assistance services as other Uber transport options.

In other countries, Uber also provides a women-only Moto service to make female riders feel more comfortable using the option, though this is not currently part of the pilot programme in South Africa.