UberFamily: taxi hailing app to provide child car seats in Dubai

The service costs an additional Dh10

Children under four can now be placed in an Uber-provided car seat for an additional Dh10 thanks to the company's UberFamily service. Courtesy Uber 

Following in the footsteps of Careem, Uber is now equipped to provide child car seats upon request to families travelling with little ones in Dubai. The UberFamily service, which launched on Wednesday, February 26, costs an additional Dh10 and the vehicle will come loaded with a standard car seat suitable for children who are four years or younger.

The company already provides this service in New York City, and said it was introduced in the UAE “in response to greater demand for child-friendly travel from riders in Dubai”.

“As transport needs in the region evolve, we [want] to meet local demands and broaden access to riders who are looking for flexibility and ease of access … [with] design solutions that improve mobility while keeping safety and reliability top of mind,” said Rifad Mahasneh, general manager of Uber in the GCC and Levant. “UberFamily is for the ever-changing needs of busy families.”

Parents approve

The launch is good news for families who have only one or no car, and for those who regularly use public transport. Dubai resident and mum-of-one Priyanka Uchil says: “Until now, every time we had to take public transport, the big question was the safety of our toddler. Sitting on a parent’s lap is very unsafe. I’m sure more caregivers will appreciate the service provided and request it whenever they book a car.

“On a personal level, it will reduce so much to and fro, to leave work and pick up the nanny and child in the car from home to a play date, say, or birthday party. Now they can simply ‘Uber it’ without any worries,” she adds.

Mum-of-two Zeba Syed, who regularly used the Careem Kids services “because they used to be the only car seat providers before”, says she will use this service as it gives parents more options than before to book a safer car faster. “Careem was Dh7, but we ended up paying a little extra on the meter anyway as the car was usually bigger,” she says.

How UberFamily works: 

1. Open your Uber app
2. Enter your drop-off destination
3. Expand product list by swiping up
4. Request 'Family' (for an extra charge of Dh10)