My name is Uber; kindly rate me.

AJ: Signals a taxi to stop 

Taxi Driver (TD): Waves and swooshes by (indicating that he is not going my way or doesn’t need a passenger) 

AJ: Signals another taxi. 

TD: Madam, where are you going to? 

AJ: Please I am off to Adjiriganor. The second left turn from the filling station. How much will you charge? 

TD: 70 cedis 

AJ: Sorry. I can’t afford it. 

TD: How much can you pay? 

AJ: I will pay 50 cedis 

TD Yelling: Ebei Madam, why? Are you the one who bought the taxi for me? Do you know how much a gallon of fuel costs? 

AJ: Oh, Taxi driver. Isn’t it a business? I expect you to be polite and patient with me. Just tell me the money won’t let you break even. You don’t have to be rude. 

TD: Oh! Gyae w’asem (spare me). You should rather learn how to talk. Do I work for you? 

Driver speeds off! 

This was me one fine morning trying to get on a taxi in the capital city, Accra. This unfriendly conversation is a demonstration of the nature of some of the engagements between a ride hailing service provider and a client. This is not to say Taxi drivers in Accra are rude and inconsiderate. Just like any businessperson out there, they are there to make money someway, somehow by driving people and goods to various destinations for a charge. 

Taxis have long dominated roads in Ghana and were once used as a primary mode of transport in Accra. The service was usually used by those with the means to afford it and it offered a more convenient alternative to the public busing transport system, known as ‘’Trotro’’. 

Then, Uber services was introduced in Ghana circa June 2016. 

What a relief it was for those who had already tried it abroad. For those who had never had the luxury, they were sceptical. Ghana is now one of 8 African countries as at 2024 currently using the services of the American Multinational online ride hailing transportation company which operates through an application.

I have used the services countless times since I first used it in 2016. Today 8th April is the umpteenth time. Each time I do, I try to have an interaction with the drivers. For some of the drivers, the service is as important to them as it is to the passenger, for others, this is just something they need to survive. No emotions or effort. Don’t do, don’t care! 

In the early days, the most important part of encountered drivers was their customer service and your feedback. Which I thought was wonderful. Some went like this. 

Madam, please don’t forget to rate me. 

Madam, you can take my number and call me again if you need me. 

Please I’m willing to help you in any way possible. 

Are you okay with the aircon? Should I put on the radio? Which route would you want me to use? 

All this was to get a good rating to their credit so they can be appealing to passengers. 

Photo credit: Technext

Years have passed, and I’m unsure what users of the app, (both the service providers and patrons of the service) will say about it now. 

Kwame, my driver who recently enrolled on the ride hailing is optimistic he will be able to alleviate some of his financial burdens if he commits to the work for the next two years. He says unlike the traditional taxis; he gets save money because the app eliminates the need to drive around in search of passengers. All he needs is a notification to pick up a passenger from his app. 

In ideal situations, passengers, didn’t have to go into contentious negotiations with a driver. The app’s configuration provided an approximate fare depending on your distance. This eliminated unnecessary haggling, unpredictable prices, and stressful situations.

No system is rid of challenges, Uber has had its fair share over the years. Obviously, it isn’t as exciting as it was to Ghanaians when it started 11 years ago. Can it be enhanced? Has its service Ghana already peaked?

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Written by Juliet Adwoa Gyanowa Amoh (10313904)