Star-up brings motorbike taxis to Uganda

isaac

April 27, 2015 5:58 PM

SafeBoda, a new startup in Uganda, is set to change the face of public transport in the country. The SafeBoda app allows people to catch a bike with a click on their smart phones, a model also applicable for Nigeria.

Safeboda motorcyclist

Motorbike taxis, popularly called ‘boda boda’, form the backbone of public transport in Uganda. In Kampala, they are the best option for those who want to get around the city quickly, and they are used by all sectors of the society.

The traditional way to catch a boda boda is to either walk down to any street corner packed with tens of them or simply wait for one to pass by.

However, the new local start-up Safeboda is making things much easier by providing the ability to catch a boda boda at the click of a smartphone. The startup is banking on the fact that Kampala is population dominated by young people who use smart phones.

Once the customer clicks on the SafeBoda app, a SafeBoda bike will appear shortly to convey the customer to his or her preferred destination. For easy identification, SafeBoda drivers wear a bright orange jacket and a helmet of the same colour. The traditional option of flagging down the SafeBoda bikes is also still available.

SafeBoda's unique selling point is safety. All SafeBoda drivers are fully trained in road safety, and they understand how to keep the customer safe. This explains why they always carry a spare helmet for the customer.

For now, SafeBoda operates mainly in the northern districts of Kampala and have a fleet of 50 motorbike taxis. But the startup has plans to expand its fleet and reach significantly by the end of the year.

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isaac