Uber’s polling day gift to Kerala; free ride in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to boost voter turnout, the Election Commission has announced a partnership with Uber to provide free transportation to polling booths. The initiative will be implemented in selected areas across Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, districts that have historically recorded lower voter participation in Kerala.

Key Details of the Service:

• Eligible Vehicles: Voters can avail of free rides via Uber taxis, autos, and motorbikes.
• Distance Limit: Rides are free for the first two kilometers. Standard Uber fares will apply for any distance exceeding this limit.
• Date of Service: The facility will be available on April 9, the designated polling day.

The program is a joint venture between Uber India and the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, with both organisations sharing the operational expenses. To ensure a seamless experience, the locations of all polling booths have been integrated into the Uber app.

Educational messages and voting reminders will be sent to citizens via Uber app notifications and social media platforms. Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Ratan U. Kelkar confirmed that the service is open to all eligible voters in the specified regions, emphasising that the primary goal is to ensure no citizen is deterred from voting due to a lack of transportation.