4 Dec 2025 Bengaluru: In 2017, Uber and Mphasis launched Uber Access and Assist, but the services were discontinued after COVID-19, leaving Bengaluru’s differently-abled community high and dry.
While Karnataka plans a bill reserving 5 percent of private jobs and 10 percent of educational seats for persons with disabilities, around 50 specially modified vehicles for differently-abled people and senior citizens lie unused in a Bengaluru parking lot. In 2017, ride-hailing aggregator Uber, in partnership with IT services firm Mphasis, launched 50 Uber Access vans - retrofitted vehicles for wheelchair users - and Uber Assist for seniors or those needing extra help. While Mphasis funded the initiative, Uber operated the services via its app. The vehicles, equipped with hydraulic wheelchair lifts and driven by drivers certified by the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Centre (DEOC), were a relief for the differently-abled community, who often struggle to navigate the city. However, the services were discontinued after the Covid-19 pandemic. Sources told Moneycontrol that these vehicles now need extensive repairs, including tyre replacement and rewiring damaged by rodents, costing at least Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle. A Tamil Nadu–based NGO has offered to take over the fleet. "Our partnership with Uber (Uber Access and Uber Assist) concluded in 2020. The vehicles, owned by independent driver-partners, have not been operational since Covid. Some of the remaining vehicles are being processed for in-kind donation to selected NGOs. At present, there are no plans to resume the service," Mphasis spokesperson said. Differently-abled activists are dismayed. Vijay NM, who has been using a wheelchair for 17 years due to muscular dystrophy, told Moneycontrol, "Uber Access and Uber Assist were crucial for our community. After their discontinuation, many stopped attending events. Private providers charge Rs 3,500-4,000 for a 10 km trip, compared to Rs 250- 350 for regular cabs, and their drivers are untrained and often hesitant to handle motorised wheelchairs.” "The project, costing Mphasis Rs 13.6 crore, ran 19,000 Uber Access trips and 3.3 million Uber Assist trips, benefiting thousands of differently-abled riders and seniors. Today, the vans - Toyota Innova Crysta and Tavera with hydraulic lifts - are deteriorating due to neglect: rodent damage, dead batteries, rusted hydraulics, and expired insurance," he said. Activists argue the fleet could be transferred to the Karnataka government or credible NGOs to operate subsidised accessible transport. "This would restore dignity and independence to thousands at minimal cost," said Vijay. Once a symbol of freedom and mobility, these vehicles now sit idle, their potential wasted. "We don’t need sympathy or charity. We need infrastructure, access, and the chance to restart a beneficial service," he added. www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/bengaluru-five-years-on-50-uber-special-cabs-for-differently-abled-lie-unused-13709363.html -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAN7%2BzvoS2idD20EiNB0RF5W4ZbNm%3Di05QDo05N4mf0n7JYU6xg%40mail.gmail.com.
