What is Uber all about? Fun facts about Uber’s history

What is Uber? We’re so glad you asked, because you’re not the only one. We’ve noticed that it’s a popular question—is it a taxi service? Not quite. Public transport? Another good guess, but actually, Uber is an app that connects drivers with riders. It’s as simple as that. To help you get a better idea of what it’s all about, we’ve put together a list of some Uber fun facts that cover the who, what, where and why.

Uber’s history started when Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp found themselves stuck in Paris on a snowy evening, unable to find a taxi. They asked themselves: “What if you could request a ride simply by tapping your phone?” 

The thought of using a cell phone to order a ride from the exact location you were standing was revolutionary. People would no longer have to wait, hoping for a car to pass or walk the streets in search of one. This seemed to please many people, as Uber quickly became popular in big cities like San Francisco and Paris.

Heading up a global business with more than 16,000 employees requires some serious expertise. Luckily, Khosrowshahi has just that. Before taking his position at Uber, he was the CEO of online travel company Expedia. He’s also a passionate advocate for refugees in crisis, having left Iran during the revolution when he was just nine years old.

Whilst its main headquarters are in the tech haven of San Francisco, there are also major offices in London, São Paulo, Mexico City and Amsterdam. You can request a ride with Uber in more than 600 cities worldwide.

When it comes to South Africa, Uber has been available for more than five years – and we’ve been busy in that time. These are just a few Uber facts and figures on what we’ve accomplished..

Uber has created an estimated 36,000 economic opportunities in Africa, and ridesharing has largely eased congestion and pollution in cities. Speaking of the environment, another of our Uber fun facts is how Uber in Cape Town has adapted to the pressing water crisis. A project was run which donated 2% of the service fee from each trip to Water Storage South Africa, which helped distribute water at various drop-off points in drought-stricken areas.

Another interesting fact about Uber is that the drivers with Uber in South Africa are a diverse and friendly group, with more and more female drivers taking the wheel as well.

Uber in South Africa has taken measures to help keep you safe on the road in the form of partnerships with insurance companies and improved legal assistance. Find out more about how to stay safe while enjoying your ride.

So, that was just a quick ride through Uber history. Uber is a company that cares about the community it operates in, with a history of community engagements and fundraisers in South Africa. Make Uber your ride of choice, and start by giving the environment a break, contributing to job creation in your community, and simply enjoying the convenience.