E-hailing revolutionalises taxi services

E-HAILING services such as Uber and the recently introduced inDrive, a taxi service app, have rapidly gained momentum and revolutionised the transport industry in Zimbabwe thereby providing stiff competition to conventional taxis.

The combination of smart-phone connectivity and urban mobility challenges has facilitated the growth of e-hailing services in major cities worldwide.

E–hailing is a service provided to book public transport services through electronic applications. These services include e-hailing vehicles and taxis. With the convenience of booking rides at the click of a button, more and more people are opting for e-hailing services over traditional metered taxis.
The rise of e-hailing in Zimbabwe can be attributed to its affordability, safety and convenience.

“I find e-hailing services to be incredibly convenient. I can easily book a ride from my phone and track the driver’s location in real-time, giving me peace of mind knowing exactly when to expect my ride,” said Mr Oscar Ntini.

The traditional taxi companies therefore have to incorporate e-hailing features into their services if they are to meet the changing demands of the transport industry.

“We understand the shift towards e-hailing services, but there are a lot of modalities that need to be considered. Our priority is to ensure that passengers have access to safe and reliable transport options,” said a taxi operator.

In addition to the convenience factor, e-hailing services have also proved to be a reliable source of income for drivers, offering flexible working hours and the opportunity to increase their earnings.

“I recently joined an e-hailing platform as I seek to make extra cash. I take advantage of my free time to make extra cash. I am gainfully employed, but I need the extra money to make ends meet,” said Mr James Dube.

“This has been a game-changer for me. I can choose when and where to work and the in-app navigation tools make it easier for me to reach my passengers.”

With its ease of use, cost-effectiveness and enhanced safety features, e-hailing has become the go-to option for Zimbabweans seeking convenient and reliable transport solutions.

InDrive claims 200 million downloads and operates in over 700 cities across 45 countries. Launched in 2013 in the USA, this service is recognised as the second-largest ride-sharing and taxi app worldwide by downloads. In Bulawayo, InDrive is fast gaining popularity due to its unique approach whereby all trip conditions are agreed upon between passengers and drivers.

Passengers can download the app, input their pick-up and drop-off points and propose a fare for their ride. Drivers have the option to accept, decline, or counteroffer, making ‘inDrive’s’ fare proposal system unique and flexible.

This feature of the app has triggered competition in setting affordable taxi fares and commuters enjoy the benefit of comparing fares.However, some users and taxi operators expressed mixed feelings about the service. Mr Panashe Murima said the service promotes fairness in charges, which is advantageous to consumers.

“InDrive offers room for the driver and the customer to negotiate the fare. The app provides a recommended fare for each ride and commuters have the option to suggest a fare they can afford,” he said.

“When a driver is close to a customer, it benefits both parties. However, if a driver is far away from the requested points it puts the customer at an advantage.”

Mr Murima said the app is one of the many advantages and convenience of the digital age.

“Everything is done online. The only requirement is internet access,” he said.

A metered taxi driver, Mr Joseph Dzarungwa, said the app is not very convenient for registered taxis because the fares offered are too low.

“It is difficult to join inDrive because the negotiated fares are just too low. Those benefitting from this app are individuals with personal cars who are pirating. This app is infact supporting illegal public transporters,” he said.

The director of Express Taxis, Mrs Vimbai Tondondo, said the app does not conform to public transport regulations.

“We are in meetings as taxi operators to strategise on how to deal with this new challenge that has adversely affected our operations. We cannot be part of inDrive due to these negotiated fares because we pay salaries, taxes and other such expenses,” he said.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube said e-hailing is a new phenomenon that police are not aware of.

“As police, we are not aware of this service and we have not received any complaints. We have been dealing with the mushikashikas problem and not individuals providing this new service you are talking about,” he said.