Jamaicans will now be able to use ride sharing app, Uber in Kingston.

The United States-based company launched its operation in Jamaica today (June 15, 2021) and is now allowing Jamaicans to sign up to become drivers or request rides to get from one location within Kingston to another.

According to the company, to become an Uber driver, the person must be 21 years of age or older, have a 2001 or newer model year vehicle, and must a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance and a profile picture to the company.

A price estimator on the ride sharing app gave a price of $322.82 for a ride from the Jamaica Observer’s location at 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue to Wolmer’s High School for Girls at 2a Marescaux Rd, which is approximately 2.7km apart.

Jamaica’s Transport Authority, last month, warned that potential public transportation service providers desirous of participating in ride-sharing services must have road licences and badges to operate these services locally.

Meanwhile, in an April release, Uber said Jamaicans can sign up to lease their cars and earn money by giving leases in their area.

The leases, Uber said, are to be covered by local insurance company Guardian Limited.

When the Jamaica Observer contacted Guardian for a response to the release, the company said it had “no comment on the matter at this time” and directed the newspaper to Uber’s local communications representative.

The Uber app is currently available in over 10,000 cities in 69 countries across six continents. Globally, Uber has completed more than 15 billion trips, covering 6.9 billion miles in 2019 alone.

Uber said as part of its commitment to safety for all, the app has various key safety features that will be available in Jamaica from day one, beginning with the very first trip. The app in the country will also have strengthened background checks and reinforced policies that put safety first, Uber said.