Uber rolls out baby and child seats in cars across Melbourne

Uber has launched a pilot program allowing parents and guardians in Melbourne to book a ride in a car with a child seat.

Uber will begin rolling out baby and child seats in cars across Melbourne as the taxi of mum and dad gets an upgrade just in time for the summer holidays.

Uber on Tuesday will launch a new pilot program which will allow parents and guardians to reserve a ride in a car equipped with a child seat.

Child seats will be installed in about 100 cars, with plans to increase this number to 500 before — if all goes well — rolling it out across Australia next year.

Young children do not need a car seat to travel in a taxi in Victoria but must use one when using a rideshare service, meaning catching an Uber has not been an option for young families.

Uber Australia and New Zealand general manager Dom Taylor said Melbourne had been selected as the test city because of its high density of family households.

“We know there’s huge demand for family friendly rides and at Uber we want to support Aussie families to move around as easily and safely as possible,” he said.

“Uber Child Seats has huge potential to make transport more convenient for many Aussie parents and guardians, while supporting driver-partners with more earning opportunities during the daytime, when most families travel.

Melbourne has been selected as the test city because of its high density of family households.

“Along with the driver-partners involved in the pilot, we’re excited to be bringing this safe and convenient transport option to Melbourne families.”

Uber already provides child seats in a number of cities in the US, Belgium and Taiwan.

Parents and guardians can book an Uber car with a child seat through the app although they will be charged a $9.99 fee for the service to cover additional expenses.

Each Uber child seat car can fit up to five passengers, including a maximum of two children.

Uber users need to confirm the type of seat or seats they require – one suitable for babies up to four year-olds or a booster seat suitable for four to eight-year-olds.

Uber drivers offering the service have been trained by Baby Bunting child seat installers to ensure seats are fitted correctly.

Users are advised to allow for additional time for Uber drivers to install the seats before the trip begins.

All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the trip.