A very good initiative by the local car-sharing platform to ease the burden faced by these two particular groups
GoCar has announced the launch of its GoVax CSR programme, which is geared towards helping senior citizens and disabled persons residing in the Petaling district get their vaccines by providing free shuttle service to and from the designated vaccination centres.
For this programme, GoCar is joining forces with with Kampung Tunku ADUN YB Lim Yi Wei to serve all senior homes, senior citizens and persons with disabilities within the district. To be eligible, one needs to key in the “GOVAX” promo code in the GoCar mobile app to redeem their free three hours usage of a vehicle.
The whole booking process is explained in the following press release but basically, one is required to confirm their vaccination appointment, call GoCar at least three days before the scheduled appointment, and be ready half an hour before the scheduled pickup time with I.C., mobile phone and proof of vaccination appointment.
Here’s the press release with more information:
PRESS RELEASE
As the country ramps up its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the question of safe transportation remains top-of-mind, especially for those who have limited mobility or don’t own a private vehicle. To support the battle against the pandemic, GoCar, Malaysia’s leading car-sharing platform, announced that it is providing transportation assistance via its GoVax CSR programme.
The GoVax programme has two objectives. One is to provide a free and safe alternative to conventional public transportation to and from the vaccination centres for residents in markets where GoCar operates, namely Klang Valley and Penang. To this end, GoCar is offering three hours of free vehicle usage for vaccination appointments via the “GOVAX” promo code.
The second objective for GoVax is to assist underrepresented senior citizens and persons with disabilities living in the Petaling district by providing free shuttle service to and from the designated vaccination centres at Hospital Shah Alam, Klinik Rakan Medik Petaling Jaya and the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
For a start, the company is working with Kampung Tunku ADUN YB Lim Yi Wei to serve all senior homes, senior citizens and persons with disabilities within the Petaling district, which includes Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, parts of Shah Alam and Kota Damansara. The aged population in Petaling Jaya itself is estimated to be about 10 percent.
“Since the pandemic hit, we have been looking for ways to do our part and help reduce the COVID-19 impact, be it by providing free car usage to healthcare front liners during the first movement control order (MCO) or by extending more savings to customers through multiple special offers,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO, GoCar Malaysia.
“Now, we are expanding support to senior citizens and people with disabilities. We are delighted to partner with YB Lim, who has been tireless in championing the predicaments that these underrepresented groups face in getting around, which will hamper their ability to get inoculated,” he added.
“A key factor in making sure public health policies succeed is inclusivity. Senior citizens and people with disabilities are high-risk groups in the sense that they are more susceptible to COVID-19 and have a higher mortality rate.However, they might decide to forgo vaccination due to mobility or transportation issues,” said YB Lim.
“As such, I am delighted to partner with GoCar in thisGoVaxinitiative to reduce barriers andensure these high-risk groups are sufficiently vaccinated,” she added.
How to access the GoVax free shuttle service for senior citizens and PWDs
The free shuttle service aims to prioritise senior citizens aged 60 years and above and persons with disabilities who do not own private transportation or have difficulties accessing public transportation. However, those with mobility challenges will need to be accompanied by someone who has experience managing these challenges, be it a caregiver, a friend or a family member.
To book the free GoVax shuttle service, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Ensure that the vaccination appointment has been confirmed by the government. Notifications will be provided via the MySejahtera app and SMS
- Step 2: Contact the GoVax taskforce at least three days before the scheduled vaccination appointment by calling the 24/7 hotline 1 300-30-2633. Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be asked to provide your name, IC number, mobile phone number and address for verification and coordination
- Step 3: Someone from the GoVax taskforce will be in touch to confirm your free shuttle pickup time, based on available slots
- Step 4: Be ready half an hour before your scheduled pickup time with your I.C. and mobile phone and proof of your vaccination appointment
- Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for your second vaccination appointment
Those who already had their first vaccination shot are also eligible for the GoVax free shuttle for their second shot. All they need to do is, follow steps 1-4 to book the service and keep in mind that slots are limited.
The GoVax shuttle service will be available from now until 31 August 2021.
Redeeming the “GOVAX” promo code
The “GOVAX” promo code offers the first three hours free and is valid only for round-trip bookings between 11 May and 31 July 2021 with a minimum of seven hours’ advance booking.
GoCar members can redeem their free three hours usage of a vehicle (not inclusive of SST) by simply entering “GOVAX” in the “Apply Promo Code” section via the GoCar mobile app before checking out.
Those who do not have a GoCar membership will need to first sign up for one by downloading the GoCar mobile app. A one-time non-refundable RM20 membership fee will be collected on the first booking.
Membership is open to anyone between 18 and 75 years old with a valid:
- P License / Full License / International Driving Permit
- Credit / Debit Card
- Malaysian / Singaporean / Indonesian phone number
Keeping everyone safe with frequent sanitisation
Those concerned about staying safe can rest assured as all GoCar vehicles undergo contact point sanitisation daily, including wiping down of all common touch areas.
Additionally, common touch areas like the door handles on vehicles used for the GoVax shuttle service will be wiped down after every trip before the next passenger gets on board.
To find out more about GoCar and the GoVax CSR programme, download the GoCarmobile app or click here: (http://bit.ly/GoVax_FreeShuttle).
