Taxify launches new service in Nairobi

Kenya became the second country to have such a service form the firm, after the launch of the taxi hailing service in Nairobi nearly two years ago.

Speaking during the launch of the service in Nairobi, Taxify Kenya Operations Manager Mr Chisom Anoke said that the firm had developed the new service in response to a growing demand for a safe, organized and reliable motorbike service.

“Rising use of motorcycle riders for public passenger transport is a reality that we have to live with particularly in Nairobi where traffic jams and clogged roads delay movement,” he told journalists.

The firm has already embarked on providing an offer to the drivers with a minimum fare of Sh50 per trip.

Equally, the fare is set at Sh30 base, Sh15 per KM and Sh3 per minute. It is estimated that the Taxify Bodas will carry out 100 trips per day, the firm expects each one to take home Sh1,500 gross daily income translating to Sh 45,000 per month.

Safety and evacuation

Taxify Boda will place a strong emphasis on safety for both the driver and passenger, the firm said in a statement.

Mr Anoke explained that the application is able to monitor the behaviour and providing passengers with a platform to immediately share user experience and rate the driver.

The firm has put in place stringent rules to ensure the safety of passengers. It is mandatory for both the rider and the passenger to wear a helmet and a reflective jacket. Nobody except those with disabilities are allowed to sit facing sideways as the rules only allow passengers to sit astride.

Anoke explained that by providing a smart phone application linking passengers to motorcycle drivers, Taxify Boda is contributing to the overall structuring of the informal transport economy, estimated to already ferry at least 10,000 people daily in Nairobi alone.

“We want to help the motorcycle drivers formalize their businesses by providing them with a platform to track trips, earnings and even plan for personal development initiatives such a saving with a Sacco.

“Since they are already trying to establish formal groupings, Taxify Boda will greatly raise their operational focus and even eventually make it easier for them to afford to purchase new motor cycles,” she added.

The firm has also invested in additional driver technical and first aid training and certification to ensure that those who have signed up are exposed and commit to the strict safety requirements.

“We want to bridge this crucial gap by reinforcing the need for Taxify Boda drivers to have this training and certification,” said Anoke.

Taxify will work closely with National Transport Safety Authority officials and Kenya Police Service to enforce the safety guidelines.

Interested drivers will be required to use motorcycles whose earliest year of manufacture is 2015. They will also need Public Service Vehicle Insurance, two reflective jackets and two helmets.

The drivers will also undergo thorough verification before being accepted by Taxify.

“The system we have in place enables us to carry out thorough background checks in partnership with the NTSA and the Kenya Police Service,” he said.

Drivers who spoke to Pulse Live Kenya at the event expressed confidence in the new app, terming it a dawn for the industry.

“We hope this service will help make people get to their business in good time. We are pleased to serve you,” a driver, Joshua Kioko, said during the press conference.

Drivers who are found to have contravened the rules, the firm said, will be automatically blocked based on the passenger ratings. If necessary, the cases will be escalated to the safety and police authorities for further disciplinary action.