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The service is being rolled out in India for the first time with Delhi being the first city.
Uber, the online taxi hailing application, has announced the launch of its specialised service Uber Assist. The service will be launched on December 3, which is commemorated as World Disability Day.
The service is aimed at providing additional assistance to the differently-abled and the elderly for commuting from point A to point B, in a safe, reliable and affordable way. The service, which is already present in other markets worldwide, is being launched in India for the first time. It will be first launched in Delhi, and will be later followed by other cities.
The Uber Assist training module for driver-partners includes specific training on the necessary knowledge and safety requirements of people with different accessibility needs. This will involve visible and invisible disability awareness and communication tips to provide an excellent experience for passengers. The training equips driver-partners with the right questions to ask and the right things to do in order to effectively interact with the passengers.
Gagan Bhatia, general manager, Uber, North India, says, "At Uber, we constantly strive to provide more convenient and reliable transportation options for everyone everywhere. With Uber Assist, our driver-partners are extending that convenience to all riders with different accessibility needs to help them get around their city safely and conveniently."
Rajesh Ghatge, CEO and managing director, iCare Life, adds, "We are proud to partner with Uber and use its expertise to train their driver-partners who will provide special assistance to passengers with disabilities, as well as with the elderly. This will go a long way in making travel convenient for everyone in the city. We would urge other companies to follow the lead as well."
"Being a wheelchair user, I have first-hand experience of the challenges that people with disabilities face in intra-city travel. Cars aren't accessible and drivers aren't sensitive to my needs. I congratulate Uber on the launch of Uber Assist, India's first radio para transit service," says Nipun Malhotra, CEO, Nipman Foundation.