Malaysia News: Uber is giving Brits in wheelchairs free lifts to polling stations on Thursday

Selasa, 6 Jun 2017

Uber is giving Brits in wheelchairs free lifts to polling stations on Thursday

Uber

UberACCESS, Uber’s option for people with access needs.

Uber is offering Brits in wheelchairs and with access needs free rides to polling stations on Thursday.

The Californian transportation firm is working with disability charity Whizz-Kidz to provide two free £10 codes to each eligible user that can be used to get to and from the polls using UberACCESS, Uber’s option for users with access needs that offers fully wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The initiative will be available in three cities — London, Manchester, and Birmingham — where UberACCESS is already available.

Uber is footing the bill for it all, a company spokesperson said, while Whizz-Kidz is helping to get the word out.

In a statement, Whiz-Kidz chief executive Ruth Owen said: “Exercising your right to vote is such a fundamental milestone in transitioning from childhood to adulthood. For many young wheelchair users across the UK, this year will mark the first time ever they’ve been eligible to vote in a General Election. So it’s important that the barriers that can stand between them and making their voices heard are removed. We’re delighted that our Travel Alliance partner Uber are making things easier by providing free uberACCESS rides to polling stations in major cities. We hope Uber’s generous move will inspire many young wheelchair users to get out and vote on Thursday.”

Uber’s UK general manager, Jo Bertram, added: “Accessing convenient, safe and affordable transport can sometimes be a challenge for wheelchair users. That’s why we’re proud to offer a fully wheelchair accessible option in London, Birmingham and Manchester with many more cities to come. Everybody should be able to have their say on election day, so we’re delighted to work with Whizz-Kidz to offer young wheelchair users an easy way to get to the polls.”

Existing UberACCESS users will sent a code to access the rides, the company said, while new users can get one from Whizz-Kidz.