Uber gives free rides to disabled voters in UK cities so they can visit polling stations and cast their vote in Thursday’s general election
- It’s offering free trips worth up to £10 in a link-up with charities in seven cities
- Covers London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Brighton
- It includes wheelchair accessible cabs and Uber Assist for less mobile people
Disabled and elderly voters are being offered free taxi rides to polling stations so they can cast their vote in Thursday’s historic Brexit election, it was revealed today.
Uber is offering free trips worth up to £10 in a link-up with leading charities in seven cities across the country.
It includes wheelchair accessible Uber Access cabs and Uber Assist for less mobile people who don’t use a wheelchair.
Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager in northern and eastern Europe, said: ‘We believe that everyone should be able to have their say, so we’re delighted to be working with organisations like Scope, Whizz-Kidz and Transport for All to offer free trips to and from the polls this Thursday.’
The scheme covers return journeys between 7am and 10pm on Thursday in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Brighton.
It involved charities in each of the cities, including Whizz-Kidz, Transport for All and Scope, who will provide applicants with a special code to access the free journey.
Current users of Uber Access and Assist will also be sent the codes.
The deal includes wheelchair accessible cabs and Uber Assist for less mobile people who don’t use a wheelchair (Boris Johnson pictured at JCB headquarters in Staffordshire today)
The scheme covers return journeys between 7am and 10pm on Thursday in London (pictured), Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Brighton.
Mark Baker, co-chief executive of Age UK Bristol, added: ‘The ”Uber to the polls” campaign will help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to place their vote on December 12, even if they have mobility issues.’
Meanwhile those facing a drive to the polling station are also being offered help
Parking app JustPark is offering a 30-minute free stop via its website in spaces near polling stations on Thursday, in expectation of bad weather.
Former home secretary Alan Johnson said: ‘This will be the first December election for 96 years and for the elderly and infirm in particular, there will be real worries about the cold and dark conditions.
‘Being able to park, free of charge, close to the polling station will make a significant contribution to voter turnout.’