Ride-hailing company, Uber that has offered to help people working in the emergency services. On Friday, Uber through its Uber Medic service pledged to offer free rides worth Rs one crore to the government of Maharashtra. Through this UberMedic service, Uber will be transporting frontline healthcare workers, government officials on Covid-19 related duties, and support other essential requirements.
"Uber’s partnership with the state government is part of its global commitment to provide 10 million rides and food deliveries free of charge," said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.
Prabhjeet Singh, Director, Operations and Head of Cities, Uber India & South Asia, said, “The Maharashtra government has been working tirelessly to contain the spread of Covid-19. We will help move what matters by leveraging our global experience, technology and network of drivers.”
To ensure the safety of the Uber drivers that will be engaged in this exercise, all the UberMedic cars that are being provided to the state government will be fitted with a roof-to-floor plastic sheeting enclosing the driver. This will ensure that the passengers have limited contact with the rider and vice versa. In addition to this, all drivers are being trained in safety procedures and being provided with personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, sanitizers and disinfectants to sanitize the cars between rides.
Minister of Tourism and Environment in Maharashtra Aaditya Thackeray, took to his Twitter account to thank Uber India for their generosity. In his tweet he mentions, Thackeray said, "Thank you @Uber_India for this support! Most crucial in times of need."
Thank you @Uber_India for this support! Most crucial in times of need. https://t.co/k6ljRfCoCF
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) April 24, 2020
Earlier in the day, Uber India had pledged rides worth Rs 75 lakh in Delhi through its UberMedic service.
Earlier in the month, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had announced that it has partnered with Ola and they will be supporting mobility of people engaged in essential sectors during COVID-19. Ola has provided a dedicated fleet of cars to BMC, and these will be deployed to transport doctors, medical staff, healthcare workers and paramedical staff and BMC officials from their homes to hospitals in Mumbai.
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