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

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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.

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 the importance of masking, social distancing and other Covid 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.

Talking about ongoing discussions with Uber and the partnership, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Govt. of India said, “Uber’s commitment to offering free rides worth INR 10 crores to help citizens travel to and from the vaccine hubs is praiseworthy as it will facilitate safe mobility options for vulnerable citizens. In India’s fight against COVID-19, public-private partnerships will play a critical role in removing barriers to vaccine access and helping people stay safe. From the start of the pandemic, Uber has acted as a responsible corporate citizen by helping transport frontline healthcare workers and in delivering essential supplies to citizen’s homes. We look forward to working with Uber in helping our cities move again.”

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 34 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 Govt. 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 Rs. 150 and a rider is entitled to maximum of two free rides, to and from the vaccination center
• The final fare displayed before confirming the trip will be inclusive of the discount