Uber taxis expand in Cape Town

Company launches low-cost service

The controversial taxi hailing mobile app Uber has expanded its services in Cape Town by launching its low-cost option known as uberX.

The car-sharing system will run parallel with Uber’s more high-end fleet uberBLACK, which has been operating in Cape Town since last October.

The uberX service offers more middle-of-the-road vehicles such as Toyotas rather than the high-end Audi, BMW and Mercedes cars operated by uberBLACK.

To compensate for travelling in less expensive cars, uberX customers will be charged a lower rate. The uberX fare per km works out at R7 ($0.65) compared to R11 ($1) on uberBLACK. A minimum fare of R20 ($1.86) applies to uberX journeys compared to R50 ($4.65) for uberBLACK.

Uber has provoked opposition and protests from taxi companies around the world, over claims that the increasingly popular service is unfair, illegal, and taking business from regular cabbies.

Uber works by connecting customers via an app to the nearest available car connected to the service. All vehicles are operated by private drivers who pay a percentage of their fare to the company.

For more details about both services check the Uber Cape Town website.