Uber's Three-Year Vehicle Age Limit Sparks Outrage Among South African Drivers

Uber's recent policy update enforcing a three-year age limit on vehicles has elicited a fiery response from e-hailing drivers across South Africa, leaving many in a state of financial uncertainty. Johnny Masanhloane, an e-hailing driver, vocally criticized Uber's decision, branding it as one of the most selfish moves by the multinational ride-hailing company, notorious for disrupting local taxi industries.

Masanhloane, who started driving for Uber last year, is bound by bank vehicle finance for his 2021 Kia. With Uber's new policy, he fears the sustainability of his livelihood once his vehicle ages out of the platform's criteria. The requirement deems his fairly new vehicle obsolete in a mere three years—pushing him, and many like him, towards an economic precipice and forcing them onto competing platforms such as Bolt and InDrive.

Uber's unyielding stance appears to be an attempt to court the South African market by promoting a fleet of newer vehicles over rivals, yet drivers like Masanhloane argue that this strategy harms their financial stability. They report that business is typically slow throughout the month, gaining momentum only towards the end, which complicates their ability to cover costs like insurance, loan repayments, and still take home a profit. Especially burdensome is that the rule only applies to South Africa, adding to their feeling of unfair treatment.

Lucky Ramatsisi, a seasoned driver who now opts for Uber's competitor Bolt, echoes these grievances, highlighting the steep challenge in making a profit amid vehicle finance obligations coupled with Uber's increasingly stringent operational standards.

This policy shift may drive customers away, as they experience delays and cancellations with Uber—problems less evident on competing platforms. The northern suburbs of Johannesburg are mentioned as a lucrative area for Uber drivers, but this creates a skewed opportunity landscape that favors specific geographies.

Uber South Africa is yet to fully address the concerns posed by TimesLIVE regarding the impacts of this policy, promising an updated statement on Monday. This delay further fuels the anxieties of e-hailing drivers awaiting clarity on their future with the company.