DiDi supports vaccine rollout via free trips for frontline workers

Rideshare service DiDi has launched a new service — DiDi Vaccinate — which will provide free trips to frontline workers to assist in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.

The DiDi Vaccinate service will provide two free trips (capped at $15 each) to and from Vaccination Hubs for those eligible to receive the vaccine in the initial Phase 1a, including frontline healthcare, aged-care and disability workers, along with border and quarantine workers. To activate the service, users will need to complete an application form and provide confirmation of their vaccination booking.

The service will be available for travel to and from all Vaccination Hubs located in cities in which DiDi currently operates: Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne, Geelong, Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast.

The initiative is the latest demonstration of DiDi’s continued commitment to supporting Australia throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, DiDi reached out to federal and state ministers, requesting priority vaccination for rideshare and delivery drivers.

With the rideshare industry severely disrupted during the global pandemic, DiDi provided a number of initiatives to support local communities and protect drivers, riders and frontline medical and healthcare workers in Australia:

• US$10 million COVID-19 global relief fund: Announced in March 2020 for international markets, the fund has provided financial support for over 13,000 driver-partners and their families globally.
• Sanitisation kits: Free face masks and sanitisation kits for DiDi driver-partners.
• Partition screens: Provided free to DiDi driver-partners as well as other rideshare drivers, taxi drivers and private car owners in major cities.
• DiDi Hero: Provided free or discounted rides and meals to more than six million frontline medical and healthcare workers globally, including Australia.
• DiDi Care: A separate rideshare service for drivers and riders to opt in where face masks are worn and vehicles are regularly cleaned and sanitised.
• Health-Guard: AI technology with Australia’s first in-app face mask recognition software for drivers on DiDi Care in June 2020, and later in capital cities across Australia where face masks have become mandatory.
   

DiDi Australia and New Zealand General Manager Lyn Ma said, “We are thrilled to be able to provide this support and play our part in helping Australia’s vaccination efforts, starting with those prioritised in Phase 1a.

“Last year we implemented DiDi Hero, an initiative that provided discounted and sanitised rides for frontline healthcare workers across Australia. DiDi Vaccinate is an evolution of DiDi Hero and, importantly, an initiative by which we can continue to support those valiantly working at the coronavirus frontline.

“Frontline workers have truly gone the extra mile for Australia over the past year; it’s our turn to give back and provide a few extra miles in return.”

For more information, visit https://australia.didiglobal.com/.