Uber to spend Rs 18.5 cr, get 150,000 drivers vaccinated over next 6 months

Will compensate car, auto and moto drivers on its platform for time spent getting jabs. Drivers showing valid digital vaccination certificates to get Rs 400 for each of their two shots

Uber on Friday unveiled an Rs 18.5-crore initiative to get 150,000 drivers on its platform vaccinated over the next six months, stepping up efforts to help India’s fight against the second wave.

It will compensate car, auto, and moto drivers on its platform for time spent getting the jab. Drivers showing valid digital vaccination certificates will be eligible for Rs 400 for each of their two shots. All drivers able to show they’ve been vaccinated before April 30 will be able to claim the funds. 

“Mass vaccination is key to tackling the Covid crisis, and this is the best way to ensure that drivers, riders and the broader community can get protected as soon as possible,” said   Pavan Vaish, head (supply and driver operations), Uber India and South Asia. 

The vaccination drive for drivers is the latest addition to Uber’s Covid-19 response in India. In March, it had pledged Rs 10 crore of free rides to help people get to and from the nearest vaccine centre. This year alone, Uber has facilitated 9,000 free online medical consultations for drivers and their families through DocsApp.