Uber rivals Taxify with own Nairobi boda-boda service

UberBoda service is accessible in all neighbourhoods of Nairobi except the Central Business Districts. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By ANNIE NJANJA

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Summary

• The UberBoda service, unveiled eight months after Taxify rolled-out a similar product in Nairobi, is now accessible from the firm’s hailing app.
• Riders using UberBoda will be required to part with a base fare of Sh55 and an additional Sh14 for very kilometre travelled.
• The shortest journey costs Sh60. Taxify Boda’s shortest ride costs Sh50 with longer journeys billed at Sh15 for every kilometre and Sh3 per minute, where a base fare of Sh30 also applies.

Online taxi app Uber has launched a motorbike hailing service stepping up competition for rival Taxify, as the rivals seek to cash in on the mode of transportation popular for its ability to beat Nairobi’s traffic congestion.

The UberBoda service, unveiled eight months after Taxify rolled-out a similar product in Nairobi, is now accessible from the firm’s hailing app.

Riders using UberBoda will be required to part with a base fare of Sh55 and an additional Sh14 for very kilometre travelled. The shortest journey costs Sh60. Taxify Boda’s shortest ride costs Sh50 with longer journeys billed at Sh15 for every kilometre and Sh3 per minute, where a base fare of Sh30 also applies.

Per minute charges do not apply on UberBoda unlike Taxify’s motorcycle service.

UberBoda service is accessible in all neighbourhoods of Nairobi except the Central Business Districts (CBD) owing to an existing ban that restricts the bodabodas from accessing the area.

The launch of the service in Kenya follows the unveiling of UberBoda in Uganda’s capital city Kampla earlier in March.

“We are excited about the launch of uberBODA in Nairobi. While Uber has grown into a global brand, we understand the importance of building technology to meet the needs of the local market. We will continue to invest our technology in products like uberBODA that seek to support local businesses while providing another safe, reliable and convenient choice for passengers,” said Vice President for Uber in Europe Middle East and Africa, Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty.

Motorcyclists registering with Uber are required to first have the requisite documents from the National Transport and Safety Authority before undergoing a road safety training. Uber is also providing a reflective jacket as well as a helmet for both the passenger and driver.

“…Passengers will still be able to see all their driver-partners details, such as their name, photo, and license plate number,” said Gore-Coty.