Ride-hailing tips to save you time and money
Updated | By Darren, Keri and Sky
Are you tired of always spending loads of money on transportation?
The reality is that we all need to use some form of transport every day.
Whether it's traveling to work or even going into a new city, different forms of transportation are needed in order to make it to your destination.
When you travel locally, like going to the mall or going to work, transport such as taxis, buses or even ride-hailing are most likely the transportation you will need to take if you don't have your own mode of transport.
Read more: Uber SA: We committed to ironing out issues raised by operators
Ride-hailing is when you use an application to order a ride that is going to take you from one place to another.
So here are three tips to look out for whenever you are using the ride-hailing applications:
Look at the fare before you agree to it
This is important especially if you're new to the city. The practice of high pricing or charging more if demand is higher, can make some rides less affordable.
Try not to travel during surge periods, as that is when things become expensive. Those are usually when people leave for or from work, or when there is an event on.
Read more: Fuel charges now added to your Uber trip and UberEats order; we get it!
Pay a little more to get a lot more
Uber launched a service called Uber Comfort in 2019 which is also now available in South Africa. This ride option is offered to riders looking for extra comfort.
It guarantees that you get loads of space in the car for a small charge. With this option, even your driver is better rated.
Read more: Uber is calling on the KZN public
The top tier options such as Uber Black and Uber Select aren’t worth it, especially if you are a traveller that doesn’t care about the make and model of the car that takes you from point A to point B. .
Never hail a ride from the airport
An airport pick-up can cost you twice as much as it would be from the airport hotel across the street. It's always that the drivers would ensure that the price from the airport to anywhere you're driving to is more expensive.
Michael Alexis, who runs a company called Teambuilding, has advocated to rather use airport shuttles or to even find accommodation that is nearby the airport.
SEE: Deaf Uber driver leaves heartwarming note for his passengers
A ride would be far cheaper if the place you're going to is a close destination rather than a further one. It is said that it's almost 25% to 50% less. You will also save the driver from having to navigate the busy airport pick-up that usually occurs at SA airports.
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