Since Uber’s Kenya launch in January last year the company has managed to gain a market-leader position in the country. PHOTO | FILE
American Taxi hailing firm Uber has launched its service in Thika, raising to three the number of towns using its services in Kenya.
Uber’s entry into Thika town comes barely three months after its Mombasa launch.
The firm has been on an aggressive growth drive in Africa, so far managing to enter major cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Accra, Lagos, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“We’re incredibly excited to announce that UberX is now available in Thika. Whether you are heading to Thika Falls, Mount Kenya University or anywhere in between-simply request UberX from your smartphone and enjoy the ride,” said the tech company.
Since Uber’s Kenya launch in January last year the company has managed to gain a market-leader position in the country.
The online taxi hailing apps have an attractive pricing model where every trip is automatically and openly costed, helping users to budget for their travel expenses.
Uber customers are charged for every kilometre covered — unlike regular cab drivers who quote their prices based on arbitrary spot negotiations with their clients.
Uber charges in Kenya are priced at Sh60 for every kilometre covered and Sh4 per minute in addition to a base fare of Sh100.
The company is however set to face stiff competition once Safaricom-backed Little Cab developed by local IT firm Craftsilicon launches next month, offering lower rates compared to other players.
Little Cab is charging passengers Sh55 per kilometre and Sh4 per minute – with no flat base charge or price surges during peak hours or heavy traffic jams. The firm has signed more than 1,000 cabbies, mostly from Easy Taxi which exited the Kenyan market in May.
Mondo Ride charges Sh58 per kilometre and Sh4 per minute; in addition to a base fare of Sh100.
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