Uber's Impact on Student Transportation in South Africa
Realeboga Kgatshe
For many South African
university and college
students, the commute from
home to campus and from
campus back home is often
tiring and unsafe. Concerns
about unreliable transport,
personal safety, and
affordability has always been
a part of student life. The rise
of e-hailing services like Uber
has transformed how students
navigate these issues.
Whether it’s a trip to buy
groceries, a trip to attend
class, or a safe option on a night out, Uber has become a staple of the student
experience in urban areas such as Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
Uber is a transportation and ride-sharing company that connects passengers with
drivers through a mobile app. You can download the Uber app from the App Store or
the Google Play Store. When Uber started in 2013, Uber changed the traditional
transportation system by offering a flexible, tech-based alternative. The app lets riders
book trips swiftly, and it matches drivers based on their location and availability. Here
is a breakdown of how the process works:
1. The rider opens the Uber app to log into their Uber account and inserts their
location.
2. They select a ride based on car type, such as Uber Black or Uber X, price, and
the time it will take to arrive.
Maybach’s image, Uber logo design-history, meaning and
evolution
3. A nearby driver accepts the rider’s request.
4. The rider receives a notification when the driver is about a minute away.
5. Before the start of the trip, the rider and driver must confirm each other’s details,
such as names and the destination.
6. The driver follows the app’s directions to get to the destination.
7. Upon conclusion of the ride, the driver and rider must rate one another, and the
rider can leave a tip should they want to.
Operating in all 9 provinces, Uber (2021) believes that riders will request a ride from
Polokwane, Cape West Coast (Vredenburg, Saldanha, Langebaan), Mbombela
(previously Nelspruit), Newcastle, Mthatha, Thohoyandou, Upington, Margate,
Richards Bay, Welkom, Phuthaditjhaba, Ermelo, Queenstown, Garden Route (Mossel
Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay), Kimberley, eMalahleni, Middelburg,
Worcester, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, and Klerksdorp. As a result, this increased the
convenience and accessibility for students nationwide. This convenience means that
students experience shorter waiting times when compared to other forms of public
transport, such as taxis and buses. This makes it popular among students.
Another reason Uber is so popular among students is its commitment to rider and
driver safety. This is important considering that students travel in the early hours of the
morning and can sometimes return home late in the evening. Vasani (2024) believes
that Uber’s safety tools are easy to customize and use. Vasani (2024) believes that
these tools include ShareMyTrip, which allows riders to send their live location and
ride details to people they trust. You can also record your ride. Uber encrypts the
recordin:g; neither the rider nor the driver can listen to it, but Uber can and will submit
a safety report. Riders can schedule PIN verification or the audio recording feature to
turn on for all rides past 9 pm. In cases of emergencies or when riders require
assistance, Uber customer service is accessible through the app to help users find
quick resolutions. This is important for students because their safety when commuting
to and from campus directly affects their well-being. Providing students with a sense
of safety is a priority for Uber because it enables them to focus on their academic and
social lives without fear of harm or harassment.
This review from TrustPilot is evidence of Uber’s reliability and how satisfied customers
are with the service they have received. This review reassures many other prospects
with comfort and peace of mind when using the Uber platform.
Another aspect that students do not worry about is the cost of travel. Uber partners
with educational institutions to offer students discounts. Discounts play a huge role in
making Uber more accessible to university students, the bulk of whom operate on
limited budgets. Discounts reduce the cost barrier for students who rely on Uber for
daily commuting, especially considering alternative transport options are unreliable.
These initiatives, along with services such as Uber Business for institutions and
organizations, position Uber favourably among the youth. In a competitive market,
these discounts help Uber gain favour with students over other platforms.
Uber has without question reshaped the transportation experience for students in
South Africa, offering a reliable, tech-driven alternative to traditional modes of
transport. With industry-leading safety features, student-focused discounts, and on-
demand convenience, the platform has become part of many students’ routines in
navigating campus and student life. By continuing to listen to consumers and by
aligning innovation, empathy, and access, Uber not only transports students but also
empowers them.
Uber. 2021. Uber now serves 80% of South Africa’s population. Daily Maverick,
Vasani, S. 2024. Uber’s safety tools can really be useful, provided you enable them-
Disclaimer: This was work done for academic research purposes and is being used
for portfolio/demo purposes only.
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Posted Jul 16, 2025
Uber's impact on student transportation. I was required to write an article on behalf of a publication of my choice that targeted students aged 18-24.
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