Uber has notified customers in South Africa that its mainstay UberX ride type will be discontinued next month.

The notice comes after the ride-hailing giant initially only notified users in Johannesburg in May this year that UberX would be phased out in their city from 1 September.

Uber has previously referred to the ride type as the platform’s flagship offering with “easy everyday rides at everyday rates.”

“The cars on the UberX vehicle list are typically comfortable Toyota Corollas and seat up to four passengers — enough space for co-workers, friends or family,” it explained.

In a notice sent to customers on Monday, Uber said that it was officially saying goodbye to the “trusty go-to” product to make way for a simpler, more tailored lineup.

“Whether you’re looking for an everyday budget saver or a bit of extra legroom, we’ve upgraded your options so you can ride exactly how you want to,” Uber said.

From next month, South Africans will be able to select from the following four options when booking a ride with Uber: Uber Go — smaller car with a smaller price tag, mainly for quick trips around town. Uber Comfort — newer cars with extra space and the ability to request a quiet drive. Uber Black — “Top-tier” drivers and premium vehicles, with extended wait time; and Uber Reserve — Book trips to 90 days in advance with locked-in pricing and an on-time pickup guarantee.

“Drivers are critical to the success of Uber in South Africa, and we remain committed to improving the driver experience through regular engagement and feedback channels,” an Uber spokesperson told TygerBurger on Tuesday morning.

“Over time, we observed that it had become harder for riders to distinguish between products, reducing differentiation for drivers operating higher-spec vehicles,” he said. 

“The decision to phase out UberX is intended to simplify the product portfolio and create clearer categories for both riders and drivers. The goal is to create a simpler and more consistent experience for everyone using the platform. Drivers will continue to have access to any product their vehicle qualifies for, including Uber Go, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, Uber XL, Uber Van, and Courier services.”

This comes on the heels of an earlier announcement in April, when Uber announced its plans to expand its motorcycle-based e-hailing service in South Africa even as concerns grow over the safety of such an option, Top Auto reported.

Uber bets big on Moto but safety experts aren’t buying it

The company announced a R5 billion investment in the country’s mobility, delivery, and digital economies at the South Africa Investment Conference, Top Auto reported.

Uber says it can create as many as 300 000 new earning opportunities for individuals on its Uber Moto service over the next decade. Uber Moto, introduced in early 2026, initially operated only in Johannesburg’s western suburbs. The service lets users summon a motorcycle operator and ride pillion, with fares starting at just R18.

It is promoted as a convenient and affordable option for short trips around city centres. The company believes the growth potential for Uber Moto in South Africa is tremendous.

“We have seen strong traction in new verticals over the past year,” said Deepesh Thomas, Uber general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Moto, in particular, could become a core engine for transportation and e-hailing in South Africa over the next decade. “While motorbike-based services are popular in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, they are typically associated with high-density urban sprawls and severe congestion.

Helmet headaches

In South Africa, however, motorcycle riding experts have flagged Moto over its safety shortcomings. Hein Jonker, founder of the Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa, labelled Uber Moto a “foolish” service and said people with common sense should give it a “hard pass.”

“There are just too many variables to address and too few laws or regulations to effectively manage such a programme. I can say with confidence it will fail,” Jonker said. “It’s about making money; it is not about the life carried by an incompetent and underqualified rider in an unsafe environment on a most likely incapable motorcycle.”

Rob Handfield-Jones, managing director of Driving.co.za, echoed those views, calling the service “absurd” in the context of South Africa’s road fatality statistics. It is worth noting that, under the National Land Transport Amendment Act — gazetted in September 2025 — all e-hailing drivers must hold a professional driving permit (PrDP). Jonker and Handfield-Jones maintain that merely holding a PrDP does not guarantee a user’s safety on Uber Moto, as the permit does not require demonstrating any skills unique to riding a motorcycle.

Another issue is that, in South Africa, all riders and passengers are legally required to wear a correctly sized helmet. Handfield-Jones said it is unrealistic to expect Moto riders to carry a range of helmets to suit different passengers.”

A considerable percentage of passengers would have no option but to wear an ill-fitting helmet in contravention of the law, and at considerable risk to their own safety,” he said.

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Quality assurance is another concern, as passengers cannot tell whether a provided helmet has been dropped and damaged, potentially reducing its effectiveness in an accident.

“How many prospective paying motorcycle passengers are aware of this risk?” he asked. “Any serious motorcyclist knows that if you drop your helmet, its life is over.”