Q COSTARICA — Uber Costa Rica has opened registration for “red” taxi drivers, who can now join the platform and earn income through Uber Taxi.
This integration will allow taxi drivers to access a wider user base and combine traditional taxi service with the app’s technology.
As an incentive, those who complete their registration will receive ¢20,000 for activating their account on the platform. They can also earn up to ¢50,000 by completing at least 20 trips during their first two months of operation.
The company will also award ¢30,000 for each referred taxi driver who completes 50 trips during their first month on the app.
“The opening of Uber Taxi registration is a step towards the full integration of technology into mobility in Costa Rica. We invite red taxi drivers to register, as they will be able to increase their earnings and benefit from the app’s safety standards,” stated Laura Santillán, General Manager of Uber for Central America and the Caribbean.
The addition of the “taxi rojos” (red taxis) follows the pilot program at San José International Airport (SJO) that allows passengers to request official licensed orange taxis directly through the app.
Uber is available throughout Costa Rica, especially in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) — San José and key cities such as Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago. Although its legal status is somewhat unclear — technically operating in a legal gray area — it’s widely used, considered safe, and usually costs up to 20% less than traditional taxis.