UberX will be discontinued across South Africa from 1 September, more than 12 years after the service was first introduced in the country.
The ride-hailing company has informed customers of the change as part of a broader move to simplify its range of ride categories and make the differences between its services clearer to passengers.
The announcement does not mean that Uber is leaving South Africa. Instead, UberX will be removed from the platform, and customers will use other available Uber services when requesting a trip.
UberX has been a familiar part of South Africa’s e-hailing market since it was introduced in Cape Town in June 2014.
The service expanded to Johannesburg two months later and subsequently became one of the company’s main ride options for passengers looking for an everyday alternative to traditional taxis, private vehicles and public transport.
Its removal represents a significant change for passengers who have become accustomed to selecting UberX when booking a ride.
The change was initially communicated to some Johannesburg users earlier this year before the company confirmed that the UberX category would be discontinued nationally.
Uber is moving towards a simplified range of ride categories, including Uber Go, Uber Comfort, Uber Black and Uber Reserve.
Uber Go is positioned as the more accessible option for everyday travel, while Uber Comfort offers newer vehicles and additional space. Uber Black provides a premium service, while Uber Reserve is designed for passengers who want to arrange a trip in advance.
The availability of these services can differ depending on the city and the vehicles operating in an area.
Uber’s current South African vehicle requirements show that Uber Go accepts eligible hatchbacks and sedans up to 12 years old, while Uber Comfort requires newer vehicles, generally five years old or newer.
For most Uber users, the biggest change will be the disappearance of the UberX option from the app.
Passengers will instead need to select from the alternative categories available at the time of booking.
For cost-conscious commuters, Uber Go is likely to be particularly important because it is positioned as an entry-level service. However, passengers should not assume that every Uber Go trip will cost the same as an UberX trip.
E-hailing prices can change according to factors such as the distance travelled, demand, time of day and availability of drivers.
This means passengers should continue checking the fare displayed in the app before confirming a trip.
For someone travelling to work in Johannesburg, visiting family in Cape Town or getting home after a night out in Durban, the practical issue will therefore be less about finding an Uber and more about which Uber category offers the best value for the particular journey.
The end of UberX does not mean that Uber drivers will automatically be removed from the platform.
Drivers can continue operating through categories for which their vehicles meet the relevant requirements.
Uber’s South African requirements differ between services. For example, Uber Go permits eligible hatchbacks and sedans that are up to 12 years old, while Uber Comfort has stricter vehicle requirements.
This distinction is important for drivers because the type of vehicle they operate will determine which Uber services they can provide.
The change therefore affects the structure of the Uber platform rather than bringing the company’s e-hailing operations in South Africa to an end.
Uber has described the move as an effort to simplify its product range and make the differences between its vehicle categories clearer.
The company has gradually expanded the number of services available to passengers, giving riders different choices depending on their budget and the type of journey they want.
However, more categories can also make it harder for customers to understand which service they should select.
The restructuring will leave passengers with a more clearly defined set of options, ranging from the entry-level Uber Go to premium services such as Uber Black.
Passengers do not need to stop using Uber.
From 1 September, the UberX option will simply no longer appear as an available ride category in South Africa.
Users should familiarise themselves with the alternative categories and check the fare shown before confirming a trip.
Drivers, meanwhile, should check which Uber categories their vehicles qualify for and ensure that their documentation and vehicle requirements remain up to date.
The change comes at a time when South Africa’s e-hailing industry is also operating in an increasingly regulated transport environment, with requirements around driver vetting, operating licences and passenger safety becoming more important across the sector.
For more than a decade, UberX has been one of the names most closely associated with app-based transport in South Africa.
Its departure will change the way millions of users identify and select their everyday Uber rides, but it does not signal the end of Uber’s presence in the South African transport market.
From September, passengers will simply have to choose from the company’s revised range of services.
For many everyday commuters, the most important question will remain the same: how much will the ride cost, and can I afford it?
