Battle for Africa: Uber and Taxify go into Okada business

At first, it was MaxGo, Nigeria's indigenous company that started the business trend of how you book for bikes through your app or through calls but this time around Uber and Taxify seem to take key interest in this business sector. In a battle for the soul of Africa, Uber and Taxify have renewed their rivalry and this time it is on motorcycles. Uber and Taxify have recorded massive success in cars as we can see the effects in Nigeria especially now, they have diverse with motorcycles. According to a report by TechCrunch, UberBoda and Taxify's Boda are new babies of the taxis giant in Africa.

Global ride-hailing rivals Taxify and Uber have launched motorcycle passenger service in East Africa. Customers of both companies in Uganda and Taxify riders in Kenya can now order up two-wheel transit by app.

uberBoda, as its branded, is Uber’s first motorcycle service offering in Africa, and second globally after Asia. For Taxify, it’s the first two-wheel launch in any of the company’s 20 plus international markets.

The moves come as Africa’s moto-taxis — commonly known as boda boda­s in the East and okadas in the West –upshift to digital.

Taxify’s “Boda” button

According to a rep of Taxify, he said, "For Taxify, the reasons for entering the market were two-fold, “We noticed there was a need for this service because boda haven’t been very well organized or regulated,”

“The other thing was people had to go search for boda-bodas. We want to bring the convenience we brought to regular taxis to the boda-bodas,” said Anoke.

The company has upgraded its Kenya and Uganda apps with a “Boda” button to order a two-wheel taxi.

Taxify also aims to bring the average boda boda ETAs in Nairobi to under four minutes, the current norm for its car services.

Boda boda rates for Kenya will be 30 Shillings base then 15 Shillings per kilometre (108 naira and 54 naira) compared to 85 and 30 for normal car service. Taxify takes a 15 percent cut.

On safety, the Taxify will only hire boda boda taxi riders licensed by Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and who have at least three years of experience.

Taxify will require their boda boda drivers have 2015 or later motorcycles that pass a company inspection “to ensure the quality is on point and our clients are safe,” said Anoke.

uberBoda

The prominence of motorcycle taxis in Uganda prompted Uber to launch uberBoda there, “We’re all about localization and boda moves Kampala,” “If we’re going to be a part of the mobility solution in Kampala, we can’t do that without having a boda product.”

Uber’s Uganda app will include an uberBoda request icon. uberBoda drivers must have proper motorcycle vehicle and taxi licenses to work with Uber, according to Lits. “In addition, we’re ensuring all drivers have two helmets and reflective jackets for their riders,” he said.

Uber expects uberBoda passenger costs to average roughly a dollar per fare. Lits estimates “there are nearly 2 million weekly boda trips happening in Kampala.” The uberBoda motorcycle service is starting with around 100 drivers.

As they gather research from early activity, both Taxify and Uber in Africa said they plan to look more deeply into motorcycle financing plans for drivers, expanded rider training, and ways to build more safety into the two-wheel taxi markets.

“By forcing Taxify boda boda riders to follow existing rules, like not riding more than two passengers at a time, it will rub off and have the kind of positive market disruption we want to see on the boda boda industry,” said Taxify’s Anoke.

“As we get more data as to drivers’ track records, that becomes a proxy for credit, which we’ll look to roll out to the boda industry,” said Uber’s Lits. As TechCrunch reported, Uber Africa experiments with many things the company doesn’t always do globally, such as cash payments and recently launching moto-rickshaw service in Tanzania.



Credit:
TechCruch

Easter: FRSC mobilises Special Patrol operation

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has mobilised all its field and sector commands for the nationwide 2018 Easter Special Patrol operations.

The exercise, according to the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, is scheduled to run from March 28 to April 3 with focus on 39 corridors across the country.

Kazeem told newsmen in Abuja on Monday that the special operation was aimed at a drastic reduction in road traffic accidents and attendant deaths, among other objectives.

The public holiday expected to be declared by the Federal Government will definitely cause an increase in vehicular movement across the nation’s highways.

As such it is expedient that the corps prepare ahead of time to curtail the situation in order to ensure smooth travel experience by motorists.

The associated risk involved in the upsurge of traffic are the occurrences road traffic crashes, road obstruction among others, which the Corps must strategies to mitigate and we are doing that already.

This falls in line with the 2018 Corporate Strategic goal of improved enforcement and rescue services to reduce road traffic crashes by 15 percent and fatalities by 30 percent.’’

Kazeem outlined other objectives of the exercise to include effective traffic management to ensure free traffic flow, high visibility of FRSC personnel on the highways and robust public enlightenment.

Others are strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, prompt response to road traffic crashes, adequate supervision, surveillance and monitoring of commands’ activities.

The identified critical corridors, according to him, include Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi, Maiduguri-Biu-Numan-Jalingo-Wukani, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja-Mfum, Ibadan-Ife-Akure-Owo-Ifon-Benin and Benin-Warri-Patani-Sagbama-Ahoada-Port Harcourt highways, among others.

The FRSC spokesman said over 22 traffic gridlock areas had been identified nationwide and adequate personnel deployed to ensure a free flow of traffic.

He listed the areas to include Asaba by Bridge Head, Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha, Ore by construction area, Gwagwalada by the bridge in the FCT, Katsina-Ala by the bridge in Katsina, among others.

According to him, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has instructed all field commands to deploy personnel alongside special marshals and other relevant stakeholders on all the designated corridors and areas.

#LagosTreks: Photos of how Lagosians trek due to Pres. Buhari's visit

It is no longer news that Lagos, the nation's commercial capital city was practically shut down yesterday and today as well. The metropolis' major roads were blocked by some overzealous security officials as commuters spend hours in the traffic. A typical Lagosian is always in a hurry as this is evident in these pictures. Lagosians decided to use what God has given them "their legs" as roads become unmotorable after spending hours in traffic and the buses seem to have gone on vacation. These pictures say it more...

 

Credit:
Twitter

Roads Pres. Buhari Must See While In Lagos

It is no longer news that Nigeria's President is on a two-day working visit to the nation's commercial city, Lagos. While the visit has generated lots of outcries from Nigerians on the social media due to how the city was in total locked down and how the security operatives blocked some major roads which caused discomfort to the motorists. AutoReportNG learnt that the presidential motorcade passed through Ikeja to Agege road all the way to 3rd mainland bridge, the president was not allowed to see some bad roads that lots of Nigerians pass through. AutoReportNG has compiled lists of roads the president must see before going back to Abuja so that he can see and understand what we go through daily.

1. The Western Avenue Road

This road has become an eyesore to all road users as it has become the parking spot for tankers and trailers drivers. Starting all the way from Fadeyi to Ojuelegba, it was so bad that the bridge is getting weak every day and they went all the way to Eko bridge, Costain etc. The reason for these is because they were not allowed to park on Apapa bridge again and they have to park somewhere. How we wish Pres. Buhari will drive this route to experience things for himself and also to see how a trip of 10mins is turning into 3hours and more, this will help in enforcing the necessary law and also mandate the ministry of Works to fast-track whatsoever they are doing in time.

2. Wharf Road, Apapa

Apapa Wharf is a home to Nigeria's busiest seaport, the seaport has generated lots of money to the coffers of Federal Government. For example, the Nigeria Customs last year said they generated almost 1trillion naira in revenue from the seaport and this port contributed almost 60% of this revenue, it is an eyesore to see that road is suffering and that adequate care has not been given into it. We are aware that there is a joint partnership between the Federal Government and some factories and these include Dangote, Flour Mills and more firms but for how long will this last. How about seeing the president have a major tour on Wharf road to access the level of work done and see things for himself.

3. All the bridges in major Lagos roads

Most of the bridges in Lagos can best be described as a disaster awaiting the evil days. From Ojuelegba to Ijora to Apapa to Eko bridge. Most of these bridges are long overdue for repairs or better still a total overhaul and should be close to serious work.

4. Ikorodu Roads

These set of people have been called people from Lagos 2 as they said they are either Lagosians or from Ogun state. AutoReportNG was in Igbogbo in Ikorodu over the weekend, we just can't feel sorry for these people and how they manage to cope due to the bad roads in these areas.

Driving the president round Lekki and VGC is not enough, the president belongs to us irrespective of political party affiliations, therefore, he has the right to know how the people are faring. It is time for Pres. Buhari to fulfil his promise where he said, "I will be a president for all".

Classic MINI Electric Debuts At New York International Auto Show 2018

In their typical unique yet quirky fashion, MINI introduces electro-mobility to their much-loved original. Beneath the historic aesthetic of the small car, the ‘classic MINI electric’ showcases the driving technology of tomorrow, delivering purely electric driving pleasure in their distinctive go-kart feeling. The design debuts at New York international auto show – March 30th to April 8th, 2018 – to highlight the British brand’s commitment and pioneering role in sustainable mobility, especially in the urban environment.

With a late and carefully restored copy of the classic MINI Cooper serving as the foundation, the ‘classic MINI electric’ anticipates the near future of electro-mobility and the brand’s attention to enrich this with charisma. The technology itself has been on the show as early as 2008 with the MINI ‘E’ and as recently as 2017 with the MINI ‘electric’ concept, which, in 2019, will be the manufacturer’s first mass-produced model with a purely electric drive. This aims to introduce their individual and recognizable style with the advancements of a modern MINI

With the compact shape, distinctive details, and expressive individualization options that have made the original MINI a globally loved icon, the ‘classic MINI electric’ adorns the retro red colour body paint. Looking closely, it sports the yellow MINI electric logo in the brand emblem on the front, rear, and wheel hubs. furthermore, it is finished with a silver roof, characteristic bonnet stripes, and subtle pinstripes that flow from the bonnet to the trunk.