Uber today announced its support for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), State governments and local NGOs with free rides worth ₹10 crore 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.

Awareness campaign

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-19 safe behaviour 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.

“We feel privileged to support the government’s tireless efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Our efforts in this partnership will be focused on providing safe and timely transport options for the most vulnerable sections of our population. As a part of our commitment to #MoveWhatMatters globally, we will continue to support vaccination drives so that affected communities can quickly recover from the pandemic and rebuild their lives,” said Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia.

How to claim a free ride:

  • Tap the menu in the top left of the Uber app and select ‘Wallet’.
  • Select ‘Add Promo Code’ at the bottom.
  • Vaccination Promo Codes will be applicable in the Uber app for all users, in 35 cities, and across all our products.
  • Add the promo code for a trip to the nearest Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Authorised vaccination centre in a government or private hospital and the return trip.
  • Navigate to the rides home screen and enter the pick-up/drop-off location for yourself or the person you are booking for.
  • Confirm your trip.
  • The value of each free ride will be maximum ₹150 and a rider is entitled to maximum of two free rides, to and from the vaccination centre.
  • The final fare displayed before confirming the trip will be inclusive of the discount.

Uber will roll out these free rides in a phased manner from March 8 across 35 Indian cities.

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