ya, the ride numbers doesn't seem bad. On Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM anirudh rao <[email protected]> wrote:
> the news just mentions that they are discontinued but, dos not probe into > the reasons. > sometimes why is as important as what. > > On Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM Vaishnavi Jayakumar (Inclusive India) < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> 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 >> <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAN7%2BzvoS2idD20EiNB0RF5W4ZbNm%3Di05QDo05N4mf0n7JYU6xg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > > > -- > "every human is disabled because, none has got the wings to fly". > Anirudh Rao > your intellectual comrade. > call/whatsapp me at 8277012082 > join on Skype: anirudhrao3 > if you just wish to be a facebook friend: > click > > https://m.facebook.com/anirudh.rao.7731/about?lst=100005148125152%3A100005148125152%3A1563341090&refid=17 > and send a request. > Thank you > Anirudh Rao. > > -- > 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/CAF6avGj69pfOAT74NbU2cmuoPfxdEPMQQ2j%3DvE8QkMhFrsa_3Q%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAF6avGj69pfOAT74NbU2cmuoPfxdEPMQQ2j%3DvE8QkMhFrsa_3Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAOYNTAzok%3D4Kx6ZHeJ7TJkQ%3Dw-NWWfZym0ZU0xJrZ_AY%3DrEP_g%40mail.gmail.com.
