Uber unveils ‘Uber Essentials’ to facilitate essential travel services in 5 cities

Uber has introduced ‘Uber Essentials’ in five cities. This service has been launched to facilitate travel for essential services such as visiting a hospital or a pharmacy.

Currently, Uber Essential is available in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Nashik, and Hyderabad, in order to facilitate the essential travel needs of citizens.

Uber said in a statement, “With the full consent of authorities, this limited mobility solution has been providing efficient and reliable transportation for riders only to essential locations. All riders on Uber Essential are mandated to carry relevant documentation to validate their purpose of travel to authorities.”

“Uber Essential drivers have been specially trained and issued curfew passes to ensure seamless movement. Uber Essential riders will also receive reminders through in-app messages and emails about basic steps they can take to help prevent the spread of the virus,” it added.

Previously, Uber had collaborated with Flipkart to offer the delivery of essential goods. It had also started UberMedic for the transport of healthcare workers.

The company said, “Uber Essential riders in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Nashik, Mumbai, and Hyderabad can open the app to check the availability of the service in their area and accessible locations nearby. The App has been designed to facilitate urgent travel needs to essential service areas only.”

“Given the anxieties and disruptions to our daily lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staying indoors and safe is the need of the hour. But, we understand the need for essential travel, especially given the significant drop in public transportation options, to access critical places like hospitals, pharmacies, etc,” it further added.