As with Uber Eats and Uber Connect, couriers can now drop off or pick up the package (up to 80kg) from the customer’s door. Uber Connect only officially makes use of motorbikes with a 15kg limit option. Customers will be able to add delivery notes or instructions for their driver before pickup or delivery — it’s probably worth letting them know about a fragile package, for instance.

Uber Connect also comes with two new features that will enhance the delivery experience. In response to a strong customer need Uber has witnessed, concurrent trips are now available, meaning users can send multiple packages to different destinations at the same time. In addition, proof of delivery via PIN will be rolled out. The PIN provides users with peace of mind that their package is being delivered to the right person, allowing for ease of reference where there are multiple deliveries. 

Other companies have offered similar services for years, such as WumDrop. Still, Uber Connect’s expansion suggests the service has proven popular enough to make it part of the company’s offerings on a much broader basis, helping families and friends in thousands of towns and cities to quickly send each other items.

Uber has noted there are with over 200 000 unique users across SSA making use of this delivery option each month.

But the Cape is not the only place where the service has irked taxi operators. Last week thousands of taxi drivers in Berlin, London, Paris and Madrid protested about the inroads Uber is making into their business. “Uber operates illegally based on our legislation of transport services,” Baker claimed.

The problem is that most of the vehicles Uber uses for its service have no operating permit.

Uber uses cars that have “charter permits”, which charge a flat fee, and then the app calculates distances, which Baker insists is not allowed in South Africa. Metered taxis usually charge R11/km – Uber charges only R7. He said the “Uber Black” app, which contracts mostly luxury vehicles, had no effect on his business but the launch last week of “UberX”, which uses mostly downmarket cars, could pry away some of his customers.

Uber’s local general manager, Anthony le Roux, said UberX used registered metered taxi operators who had licences. “A lot of these guys are already working with us. It’s those guys who aren’t interested in working with us who are giving negative feedback ,” said Le Roux. He said Cape Town was working on updating its regulations to accommodate this new category of taxi service.

Motjhane Mabote, general secretary of the Gauteng Metered Taxi Council, said Uber was not a threat to his members. “Most metered taxi customers in Gauteng are not fussy about the type of vehicle used,” said Mabote.