Uber to launch new service for disabled people

uberASSIST will enable people who use folding wheelchairs, scooters and walking frames to order suitable vehicles
Andrew Matthews/PA
Rachel Blundy20 October 2015

Disabled people will soon be able to request extra assistance when booking a car through minicab-booking app Uber.

uberASSIST will theoretically enable people who use folding wheelchairs, scooters and walking frames to order minicabs which can accommodate their needs.

So far about 100 of Uber's most experienced drivers have signed up to the scheme, the US company said today, and it hopes more will offer their services.

All the drivers have completed a disability equality course developed by charities Transport for All and Inclusion London.

The service will cost the same as a journey using the lowest priced uberX.

Uber's UK general manager, Jo Bertram, said: "We've been working to develop uberASSIST for a number of months and have heard from our charitable partners, Transport for All and Inclusion London, about the difficulties disabled people and people with access needs often face in accessing transport in London.

"Technology and innovation should be starting to change this.

"That's why I'm proud that we can now offer disabled riders extra assistance - at exactly the same low price as our existing uberX service."

A High Court judge ruled last week that Uber's smartphone app is lawful after rejected accusations from the black cab drivers that the technology constituted a fare calculation meter reserved for vehicles used by licensed cabbies.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in