Uber pledges free rides worth INR 10 Cr to support Government and NGOs for vaccinating vulnerable citizens

Uber announced its support for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), State Governments and local NGOs with free rides worth INR 10 Crores for assisting the second phase of the world’s largest vaccination drive.

The free rides can be utilised to travel to and from the nearest authorised vaccination centre by citizens above 60 and 45+ age group with co-morbidities, the target group identified for the second phase of India’s vaccination drive. 

Uber’s initiative will facilitate free rides to vulnerable individuals through easily redeemable promo codes that will make travel to vaccination hubs easier and safer. Uber will also leverage its NGO partners such as the Robin Hood Army and others for transporting the vulnerable and underprivileged elderly to vaccination centres. 

As a part of its support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for addressing vaccine hesitancy, Uber will spread awareness through its app and social media channels. Additionally, Uber will run a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign stressing upon the importance of masking, social distancing and other Covid safe behavior even after vaccination. 

Given that drivers on Uber’s platform meet the two main criteria of essentiality and vulnerability, Uber has requested the Central Government to make them eligible for early access to vaccination.

From March 8, Uber will roll out these free rides in a staggered manner across 35 Indian cities. Please check the Newsroom Post here for city details. 

How to claim Uber’s free rides

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Uber has announced multiple initiatives to support local authorities, civil society organisations and State Governments to help move what matters. 

In 2020, Uber partnered with Indian NGOs such as Robin Hood Army, HelpAge India, CHILDLINE 1098 and the National Association for the Blind to provide mobility options for some of India’s most vulnerable citizens. It also facilitated over 280,000 free rides to the National Health Authority (NHA) as well as various State Governments for transporting thousands of frontline healthcare workers and volunteers. These free rides were a part of the larger global commitment made by Uber to donate 10 million free rides and food deliveries to healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need.