Uber partners with Telangana for 'Own Your Car' scheme

Hyderabad:  Uber, the app-based cab aggregator, is collaborating with Telangana government to help members from backward classes and scheduled tribes become full time commercial drivers by providing them training and imparting required skill sets. The US-based company, which connects drivers and riders, today announced its association with Backward Classes Welfare Corporation and Tribal Welfare Corporation in this regard. According to an Uber release, the Telangana government will provide 60 per cent upfront subsidy on the on-road price of a commercial car (select models only), while the company, under its scheme "Own Your Car",  will assist the corporations in selection of the beneficiaries. It will coordinate with financiers and dealers for better pricing of the car and subsequently provide training to them on technology, navigation, driver etiquette and other soft skills. Deepak Reddy, General Manager, Uber (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), said the cab aggregator is committed towards encouraging micro-entrepreneurship and building skilled labour across cities. "We look forward to this collaboration with the government of Telangana to assist the beneficiaries with necessary training and vehicle financing. Additionally, to empower them with technology and digital innovation. We're excited to be a part of their entrepreneurial journey," he said. To ensure steady business to the selected beneficiaries, the government will mandate them to register and drive with Uber. On a pilot basis, the government has identified 25 beneficiaries from Hyderabad for the subsidy. The government will then monitor their performance on Uber for a period of one month before expanding the scheme to other districts in Telangana, the release said. The Tribal Welfare and BC Welfare Departments aim to sponsor a total of 1,000 cars under this scheme in 2016, it added.