Uber implements measures to support cities and communities

Uber has announced plans to support cities and authorities in tackling specific needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For public safety, Uber is working closely with public health authorities to develop guidance to customers and partners to encourage a health- and safety-conscious approach through in-app advice about COVID-19. Uber is also supporting affected driver and courier partners by compensating their lost earnings or time off the road for up to 14 days (more here).

For Uber Rides, these measures range from introduction of phone ordering for elderly customers without smartphones to suspended pooled rides or provision of cleaning sprays, though supplies are limited, to driver partners. In Spain, Uber and other ride-hailing providers are enabling transport of healthcare workers to attend to people who need assistance in their homes.

For Uber Eats, the company has introduced a new function for customers to choose a no-contact delivery. To increase earning opportunities of restaurant and courier partners, Uber has also introduced daily instead of weekly payments to restaurants, accelerated on-boarding of new restaurant partners and removed fees for food delivery.

JUMP, Uber's electric bike share service, has been suspended in some cities. However, JUMP has remained open for some cities looking to provide augment public transit. JUMP has also launched a Free Rides for Essential Service Workers program that offers free JUMP rides to workers providing essential services like medical staff, emergency responders, and grocery workers as part of Uber’s global 10 million free rides and deliveries commitment. In cities where JUMP continues to operate, we focused our vehicle deployment, operations, and service areas to support access to essential services and businesses.

In London, JUMP has partnered with the National Health Service to provide free rides to tens of thousands of staff including doctors, nurses, and hospital staff.
In Berlin, JUMP has partnered with Charite hospitals to provide dedicated JUMP bikes directly to medical staff.
In Rome, JUMP is providing free rides for Spallanzani hospital staff.
In Washington DC, we’re offering free JUMP rides to volunteers who are working with grassroots COVID-19 response groups to facilitate delivery of essentials to people in need.

For Uber Freight, efforts are being made to help small shippers manage the increased costs during this critical time, for example by waiving fees for emergency relief loads or providing cleaning sprays to small carriers if available.

Uber is open to discussing other opportunities to help cities in their efforts. If you need support or have ideas, please contact Zuzana Púčiková at pucikova@uber.com.

You can find out more on the Uber blog, and a series of articles below:

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