A low-cost option of cashless private car and rideshare service, Uber, was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday.

‘uberX’ follows the launch of high-end private cab service, UberBLACK, in the country in August last year.

Uber is a smartphone app that connects riders with a private driver. And UberBLACK allows it users to travel in the likes of Audi A4’s or a Mercedes C-Class.

But the cheaper option of uberX means that riders can enjoy a similar cab service at more reasonable prices.

Cab drivers for uberX transport passengers in vehicles suchas the Toyota Corolla or Toyota Avanza.

Commenting on the uberX launch general manager for Uber Johannesburg Alon Lits said in a statement, “We are thrilled to launch uberX in Johannesburg today."

"This new service means that you can now enjoy the seamlessness, efficiency and industry-leading safety features of Uber at an extremely affordable price. We are humbled by the response of Joburg to Uber and we are already providing thousands of safe rides on a weekly basis," Lits added.

Uber also says that “existing users can enjoy free uberX rides from now until 23h00 on Sunday 17 August.”