Uber Wellington is Live

Uber Wellington is Live

OCTOBER 14, 2014

POSTED BY AJ TILLS

For the past month, secret Ubers have been spanning the capital, bringing a safe, reliable and affordable transport option to Wellingtonians. After hundreds of trips we’re excited to announce that Wellington is officially Uber’s newest city!

We want to thank everyone who has taken a trip on Uber over the past few weeks for helping us test and refine the service. The feedback we have received, from both riders and drivers, has been nothing short of amazing.

A decade ago, local driver Michael gave up driving taxis after a number of negative experiences, opting to set up a private tour company in Wellington. With the introduction of Uber, Michael found a platform that allows him to utilize his Mercedes on days he’s not sharing the beauty of the city. “The people are very friendly and I think the drivers are pretty giddy too…so it’s a nice feeling out there in the car.”

Aseri was one of the earliest partners to make the jump, saying; “Uber is flexible and good for the family because I can choose my own hours and drop off and pick up my wife from work.”

We’ve also been very encouraged by the progressive thinking and leadership demonstrated by local politicians in embracing Uber and lending their voice of support.

Councillor Andy Foster, Chair for Transport and Urban Development in Wellington, even draws a line to Uber’s origins; “Uber should be a really good fit for Wellington. It originated in San Francisco which has many similarities and connections to Wellington, and as a city we are now actively working on a formal Sister City relationship. Both cities are creative, liberal, tolerant and tech savvy – so Uber should fit in here very nicely.”

We are excited to be here and are committed to growing Uber to the point where it sits alongside your morning coffee as the lift you need in your day.

What is uberX?

UberX in New Zealand operates with prices up to 20% cheaper than a taxi, featuring mid-range or hybrid vehicles in a variety of colors and styles, typically seating up to four people.

To maintain the Uber standard, all drivers pass Uber’s rigorous screening process. In order to be an uberX driver in Wellington, drivers require:

• A P-Endorsement
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• A Passenger Service Licence
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• A Private Hire Service Registration
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• An in-person interview and screening
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• A consistently high rating through Uber’s real-time Feedback System
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