Uber South Africa says it has partnered with multiple security response services in an effort to further ensure the safety and security of its drivers.<\/p>\n
These new partnerships will see security and medical services dispatched in emergency situations in a reduced time, in an effort to improve the safety for driver-partners who use the Uber app, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The partnership involves an improvement to Uber\u2019s current security number that is already available to all drivers in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n
The security number links to a central control room, where a geo-specific security or medical response partner can be dispatched within minutes – improving response times.<\/p>\n
This follows the pilot of SOS buttons in Johannesburg from September to December of 2016, where 500 driver-partner vehicles were fitted with buttons that, when triggered, alerted Uber\u2019s central control room.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately driver-partners have expressed safety concerns, and we are committed to making them feel as safe as possible when using our app. This improvement is a step in the right direction, as we look towards implementing a more technological solution in the future,” said Uber.<\/p>\n
The improved security number and partnership agreement will be launching in Johannesburg and will reach Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
By March 2017, all cities in which Uber South Africa operates will support the improved security number, the group said.<\/p>\n