Uber Japan Launches Wheelchair-Accessible Ride-Hailing Service 'Uber Assist'

Uber Japan Corporation (hereinafter 'Uber Japan') announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the launch of 'Uber Assist' (Uber Assist), a service that allows users to designate and dispatch taxi vehicles capable of boarding with a wheelchair. The service will be available in Tokyo's 23 wards, Musashino City, and Mitaka City. The introduction of this service, which is highly compatible with the 'Uber Senior' app function designed for improved visibility and operability for seniors, will provide high convenience for the elderly, wheelchair users, and their families to travel without reservations. It can also be used by parents with strollers and pregnant individuals. Key Features of Uber Assist: After specifying the pick-up and destination in the Uber app, users can easily use Uber Assist by selecting 'Wheelchair Taxi' on the vehicle selection screen. No reservation is required. Dedicated Vehicle and Driver Support: Users will be picked up by taxi vehicles equipped with ramps for boarding with a wheelchair (Note 2), and drivers who have undergone appropriate support training (Note 3) will provide assistance. (This is not a welfare transport vehicle.) Support will be provided safely and smoothly after arrival, including boarding and alighting assistance. Standard Usage Fees: The usage fee is based on the meter fare, the same as regular taxi dispatch, so there are no special additional charges. It can be used casually for daily hospital visits and outings. Intuitive App Operation: By utilizing the 'Simple Mode' with enhanced visibility, even senior users can easily set vehicle designation and pick-up/drop-off locations from the Uber app. Furthermore, by linking accounts with 'Uber Senior,' proxy dispatch is also possible. Family members living far away can dispatch a vehicle for their elderly family members who are going out alone and grasp their current location in real-time. For information on how to use Uber Senior, please refer to the video below. This service will start in major areas within Tokyo (Tokyo's 23 wards, Musashino City, and Mitaka City). In the future, Uber Japan aims to gradually expand the service areas in consultation with partner taxi companies. With the vision of 'Go Anywhere,' Uber Japan will continue to strive to expand mobility services to realize a society where everyone can freely access where they want to go. (Note 1) For an overview of Uber Senior, please refer to the following official announcement: [https://www.uber.com/jp/ja/newsroom/uber-senior-2025/](https://www.uber.com/jp/ja/newsroom/uber-senior-2025/) (Note 2) Refers to Toyota 'JPN TAXI' vehicles, which are Universal Design Taxis. This is not a welfare transport vehicle. (Note 3) Refers to the 'Taxi Driver Barrier-Free Training' developed and promoted by the Barrier-Free Training Promotion Executive Committee. About Uber: Uber Technologies (hereinafter 'Uber') is a technology company founded in the United States that aims to create a world where anyone can travel easily, comfortably, and safely with the push of a button. It started as an app-based ride-hailing service in San Francisco, USA, in 2010, from the founder's simple question, 'How can I summon a car with the push of a button?' Today, Uber operates a platform that is changing the way people and things move, not only for people but also for delivery of food, groceries, and daily necessities, in over 70 countries and more than 15,000 cities worldwide, supporting approximately 50 languages. About Uber Japan Corporation: Uber Japan Corporation is the company that operates the on-demand ride-hailing platform 'Uber' in Japan. Partnering with approximately 1,000 taxi companies nationwide, it offers services such as 'Uber Taxi,' available in all 47 prefectures, and 'Uber Premium,' which can dispatch premium hire cars and 5-seater wagons in areas including Sapporo, Tokyo's 23 wards, Osaka, and Fukuoka. It also supports public ride-sharing (proprietary passenger transport) in partnership with local governments in Kyotango City (Kyoto Prefecture), Kaga City (Ishikawa Prefecture), Nozawaonsen Village (Nagano Prefecture), and Beppu City (Oita Prefecture), and has been supporting the provision of services for the proprietary vehicle utilization business (Japan-style ride-sharing) in partnership with taxi companies since April 2024.