Assist: Improving accessibility in Hong Kong

中文

Some people in Hong Kong need an extra hand getting around the city. For that reason, we are excited to extend Assist to all riders in Hong Kong with different accessibility needs.

Assist is a special service that offers assistance to senior citizens and individuals with accessibility needs. With just a push of a button, they can request rides at UberX prices.

Kenneth She, General Manager of Uber Hong Kong, said: “This is a new option designed to provide additional support to seniors and members of the community with different accessibility needs, for example those who may use a folding wheelchair, walking aid, or those who are visually or hearing impaired.”

He said, “We look forward to exploring ways to help even more members of the community access the benefits of ridesharing.”  

Since our pilot scheme in February 2016, we have seen more local residents with accessibility needs embrace ridesharing as a safe, reliable and affordable way to move around their community.

Getting around isn’t always easy for many people in Hong Kong. According to the Census and Statistics Department, eight percent of the city’s 7.4 million population – or one out of every 12 people – has some form of physical disability.

And the city’s population is rapidly aging, with the proportion of people 65 and over expected to rise from 15 percent in 2014 to 30 percent in 2034, according to government projections.

Assist services are provided by top-rated and experienced driver-partners who have been trained by the Bamboos Professional Nursing Services, Silence HK and Hong Kong Blind Union. They are authorized and endorsed by Hong Kong Health Care Federation, which provides the knowledge and skills to help those in need get from A to B.

To further demonstrate our support to the disabled community, for every Uber ride taken in Hong Kong over the coming weekend (April 22 & 23), we will donate HK$1 to Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power for its members to book uberASSIST rides.

Assist is available in countries across the world, including the US, UK, Australia, India, Singapore and Macau. Riders and driver-partners appreciate the service, and we’re looking forward to bringing the benefits of Assist to more people in Hong Kong.

How to request uberASSIST ride:

Friendly reminders:

(Note: Assist vehicles are not equipped with hydraulic ramps or lifts for electric or motorized wheelchairs.)