Ride-hailing company Uber expands into Sharjah

UberSelect app, which is available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will be accessible in the emirate

A dashboard-mounted smartphone displays a map of  the 'Mainhattan' financial district on the Uber Technologies Inc. app as an Uber X driver carries passengers in Frankfurt, Germany, on Friday, April 12, 2019. Uber's long-awaited roadshow for what is expected to be 2019's biggest U.S. IPO is expected to kick off on April 26. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
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Uber has said it is launching its ride-hailing service in Sharjah.

The announcement means the UberSelect app, which is already available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will be accessible in the emirate.

It also said that social distancing measures, frequent cleaning and the wearing of face masks would be mandatory.

“We’ve seen the benefits of rapid technology adoption and improved access to transportation in the region,” said Rifad Mahasneh, Uber’s general manager for the GCC and Levant.

“Covid-19 has presented unprecedented challenges, but as we work towards accelerating recovery we’re focusing on our strengths – offering safe, reliable and affordable mobility solutions and investing in securing the livelihoods of drivers by creating additional earning opportunities.

“The UAE is committed to driving urban mobility and leading smart cities of the future, and we believe we have an important role to play in facilitating this vision, advancing the mobility system and ultimately improving people’s quality of life.”

Drivers will also have to make hand sanitiser available to customers who use the app. It is also compulsory for passengers to sit in the back of the vehicle.

Passengers will also have the option to cancel a trip if the driver is not wearing a mask.

The service has been available in Dubai since 2013 and was relaunched in Abu Dhabi two years ago.