The haze in Singapore may have reached record high levels in the last two years, but Uber seems to be stepping up to the challenge. In a mailer sent out yesterday in the late afternoon, the private car service announced their UberHealth campaign, where they promised to send a free package of 4 N95 masks and some accompanying Uber swag to those who called for it. This service ran until 7pm.
Despite the short time-frame, many jumped at the opportunity to connect with the hundreds of drivers islandwide that were equipped with masks. As expected, Uber quickly dispensed all their masks, but not without leaving quite a few people satisfied with the quick delivery.
Kudos to @uber_sing for UberHealth initiative. Thanks for sending along the N95s and some Uber swag… https://t.co/8XMKf4cYPY
— Eric Kong (@kongeric) September 24, 2015
FREE N95 masks from @uber_sing. Now I’m protected. Swee. #UberSG #UberHealth pic.twitter.com/z9vimA03SI
— Roger Ng (@iUnspoken) September 24, 2015
Thank you @uber_sing for the masks! Totally needing them! #UberSG #UberHealth https://t.co/s8V7mtNIFq
— Roger Ng (@iUnspoken) September 24, 2015
Thanks to @Uber_SING! Nice gesture as the haze worsen. Received our #UberHEALTH pack in just 7 min. #SGHaze pic.twitter.com/8EffLeHG2b
— Hao Xiang (@haoxiang84) September 24, 2015
However, there were a few angry users who also shared on Uber’s Facebook page that the email was sent way too late; some even said that they received the email after the cut-off time of 7pm.
While there were users who were disappointed when Uber’s stock of N95 masks ran out, it was a far cry from the fiasco that was their food delivery attempt in Singapore and Malaysia, which left many users hungry and frustrated. The unmitigated popularity of their food delivery campaign, in partnership with local startup Grain, invoked the ire of many Singaporeans who took to social media to voice their unhappiness with the transportation company.
Despite the failure of their previous marketing scheme, Uber is undeterred in their attempt at being the transportation choice of Singaporeans, having delivered smartphones, ice cream, and now protective masks. Perhaps it was their better management of demand this time round that saved them, but it’s clear that Uber may win back Singaporeans’ forgiveness yet.
