Uber has pushed back against concerns that its decision to discontinue UberX in South Africa will automatically leave drivers without work, insisting eligible operators can continue earning through other ride categories available on its platform.
Uber officially discontinued UberX across South Africa on September 1, 2026, ending one of the company’s most recognisable products in the country after more than a decade.
The company said the decision was designed to simplify its product portfolio after finding significant overlap between vehicles completing trips across Uber Go, UberX and Comfort.
Drivers can continue operating through products for which their vehicles meet the applicable requirements, including Uber Go, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, UberXL and Van.
That, however, has not ended concerns from driver organisations.
Drivers Dispute Uber’s Position
The National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa, NEFSA, has warned that the transition could have serious consequences for drivers whose vehicles do not qualify for alternative categories.
NEFSA estimates that more than 60 per cent of drivers it represents could struggle to migrate to another suitable category, although the federation acknowledged that its research into the full impact was continuing.
The dispute therefore centres on an important distinction.
UberX disappearing does not technically mean that every UberX driver loses access to Uber.
But continued access depends on whether each driver’s vehicle qualifies for one of the categories that remain.
For some drivers, Uber Go provides an alternative.
Uber’s current South African requirements allow eligible four-door hatchbacks and sedans up to 12 years old to operate on Uber Go, while premium categories such as Comfort have significantly stricter vehicle requirements.
Earnings Are Another Concern
Qualification is only part of the argument.
NEFSA says drivers moving from UberX to lower-priced Uber Go could earn less for similar journeys.
The federation argues that many drivers already operate under significant financial pressure because they rent vehicles from fleet owners or carry financing and operating costs.
That means a driver may technically remain active on the platform while experiencing a reduction in income.
This is why describing the development simply as “Uber says drivers won’t lose jobs” requires qualification.
Uber’s position is that the removal of UberX does not itself remove drivers from the platform. Driver representatives argue that vehicle eligibility and lower earnings could nevertheless make continued operation difficult for some.
Uber Says Categories Had Become Confusing
Uber says its decision followed increasing overlap between its products.
Many of the same vehicles were operating across Uber Go, UberX and Comfort, making it harder for riders to understand what differentiated the categories and more difficult for drivers with higher-specification vehicles to benefit from those distinctions.
The restructuring leaves Uber with clearer tiers ranging from more affordable services to premium options.
For passengers, that means UberX — long viewed as the company’s standard everyday private-car service — disappears from the booking menu.
For drivers, the consequences depend much more heavily on vehicle type.
Competition Intensifies Across Ride-Hailing
The changes are unfolding during a significant restructuring of Africa’s e-hailing industry.
Uber recently ended operations in Nigeria and Uganda, while competitors including Bolt and inDrive continue fighting for drivers and passengers across major African cities.
South Africa remains an important ride-hailing market, but platforms are under pressure to balance affordable fares for passengers with sustainable earnings for drivers.
That tension is at the centre of the UberX controversy.
The real measure of the restructuring will therefore not simply be whether former UberX drivers can still log into the app.
It will be whether they can migrate to alternative categories and continue earning enough to make driving commercially sustainable.
