Cape Town - With the party season fast approaching, it’s time to tackle a serious subject – drinking and driving. Or rather, not driving.
There are various options. You can appoint a friend to be a designated driver who will not have any fun whatsoever; there are companies that will fetch you and your car should you become unexpectedly intoxicated; and there are metered cabs. And then there is Uber.
Unfortunately, it will ruin you for life. On top of that, when you’ve used the entry level uberX and then splash out for UberBLACK… well, it’s difficult to go back. I don’t know what happens after you’ve tried uberCHOPPER (yes, that’s a real thing) because you have to have access to a legal helipad, and sadly there isn’t one outside my home.
Uber is not only for when you want to go out and have more than one tiny drink, which is the limit if you’re going to drive. It can be used for any purpose at any time of the day or night. Going into the CBD and don’t want to a) struggle to find convenient parking, b) pay a king’s ransom for that spot or c) worry about security? Uber. Need to get to the airport in a hurry? Uber. The list can go on so let’s just say it’s fast, efficient, classy, safe and affordable.
I started using the service about a month ago, and haven’t looked back. Let’s go to the beginning. Uber is a smartphone app for iPhone, Android, or Blackberry 7 for a global service which originated in San Francisco. It’s available and can be used in more than 220 cities in 45 countries on six continents. It’s good to know Cape Town has one of the fastest pick-up times in the world.
Once you’ve downloaded the app and signed up with your e-mail and credit card details, and an optional photograph of yourself to help drivers identify you, you’re ready to begin Ubering.
I’ve been lucky enough to have direct access to the wonderful Samantha Allenberg, communications associate for Africa, who has answered my many questions along the way. But using the app is simple, and you will unlock useful tricks over time. When you open it, it locates you and gives you an estimated time until pick up. This can be anything from three to 11 minutes, even in peak traffic and high demand times.
You type in your destination to get an approximate fare, and request your Uber. A text message follows to let you know the driver is on his way, and another is sent when he is outside your door. You are also sent an in-app photograph of the driver, the car model and registration number. Soon they’ll include the colour as well, which will be a great help to idiots like me. While you’re waiting you can keep track of your car with the map inside the app – it’s the cutest thing to watch – and you can also contact the driver directly by calling or texting.
Because it’s a cashless service, there’s no need to tip or for any money to change hands, and the drivers – who are independent contractors – get the bulk of the fare. They choose their own hours and are not committed to 24-hour shifts like many taxi drivers, and all of those with whom I’ve driven are very happy with the arrangement. It works for passengers too, who have maybe spent all their folding money, and you can also pass the trip on to someone else. For example, I sent my son to work in an Uber, on my account, this week. “It’s not like a taxi. It’s like getting a lift with a friend,” he said.
In fact, the slogan is “Everyone’s Private Driver”, and that’s exactly what it feels like when a smartly dressed man arrives outside and opens the back door of his clean, smart, unbranded car for you.
Which brings me to the categories of Uber and pricing. Leaving the chopper out of the equation for now, we begin with uberX. Cars in this fleet include Toyota Corollas and VW Polos, and even some older model Mercedes-Benzes which are being introduced at the moment. The base fare is R5, followed by R7/km and 70c/minute, with a minimum of R20, making it highly competitive when compared to metered cabs.
The UberBLACK fleet includes newer Mercedes and Audis. This is leather-upholstered luxury and some even offer free water and mints, and on-board wifi. The base fare is R15, R11/km, and R1.10/minute with a minimum fare of R50. The uberXL is for parties of up to six people, and the fare can be split for any ride.
While I am what they call an “Uber evangelist”, mainly because the wait time is far less than any metered cab, the cost is on a par, and I’ve enjoyed brilliant service, there are some things to look out for, like “price surging”. This happens when the service becomes overloaded, and you will be advised when ordering your car. The choice is to accept the higher fare, or be notified when the surge subsides, which can be as little as 15 minutes. In cases like this, calculate the price options because sometimes an uberBLACK can work out less expensive than uberX, so weigh up whether you are in a hurry or want another glass of wine. The other thing to keep in mind is that the service is on demand, so you can’t book a driver in advance. However, if you have a favourite, there is a way to find out if he is on duty and in your area. That’s my little secret for now, but perhaps a driver will share it with you.
l For more information, go to www.uber.com/capetown or your friendly app store. There are frequent incentives and promotions, and if you sign up with my code (MW43Y) you will get R90 credit, and so will I. Help a person out, won’t you?
Weekend Argus