App-based taxi hailing cabs offer safety and reliability to passengers, more hires to drivers

Sri Lanka’s app based taxi hailing market has begun to streamline the taxi and three-wheel hiring system in the country, offering passengers safety, reliability and access to a transparent pricing method while permitting drivers an increased volume of hires. 

The advent of taxi hailing apps changed the way Sri Lankans access three-wheelers and cabs. Studies reveal that Sri Lankans use a combination of choosing a ‘metered three-wheeler’ from a designated stand, hailing one off the road and using a taxi hailing app to book a three-wheeler.  

However, recently a group of three-wheel drivers organised a protest against taxi-hailing apps, claiming that the playing field had once again acquired a slope to the disadvantage of unaffiliated drivers. 

The negative perception about app based taxi-hailing services amongst unregulated, independent drivers has also given rise to several violent incidents across the nation. In certain instances drivers affiliated to app based taxi hailing companies were threatened and ill-treated. 

In terms of safety, women in particular face abuse at the hands of unregulated, independent drivers. Safety conscious passengers invariably choose to rely on an app based taxi hiring systems as most platforms allow passengers the facility to track the driver and the route. 

While some passengers admit to using app based taxi hailing services simply as they offer the lowest rates in the market, an emerging number of passengers claim that they would use such services simply to feel safer during their travels. 

“I can rely on app based taxi hailing services to return my valuables if I leave those behind by mistake,” commented a frequent user of app based taxi hailing services. 

Such platforms offer a tracking system which the passengers can use to their advantage. Moreover, reliable and reputed app based taxi hailing companies hold their drivers accountable which allows passengers to travel without being overly anxious about their safety.

Passengers first and foremost seek a fair price along with safety. Out of the three wheel services available today, the random vehicles without a fixed meter charges passengers the highest rate. In such cases, most three wheeler drivers still stick to the old method of dictating a price that they deem fit at any given moment. Three wheelers with working meters attached offer a fairer and a more manageable rate in comparison. However, taxi hailing app based vehicles offer the lowest rate. 

A driver who recently switched to working for an app based taxi hailing Company recounted that app based services bring in more hires. He added that while he can charge more from passengers if he operates independently, working in partnership with a company allows him to find an increased volume of hires. 

One of Sri Lanka’s taxi hailing services PickMe, operates at the lowest per km rate to the passengers, whilst complimenting the drivers with high incentive schemes varying as per fleet and driver preference of full time or part time.

As a recent report indicates, mobile penetration in Sri Lanka has risen from 96% in 2012 to 126% in 2017. As more and more Sri Lankans get used to relying on various apps (a growing trend in Sri Lanka), taxi hailing apps too will become even more relevant.

Sri Lanka’s app based taxi hailing market is a competitive one. The number of companies that offer this service has increased as of late. As long as the competition is healthy and no one tries to offer overtly lower rates to scare off competition and then build a monopoly, the new system should work in favour of both passengers and drivers.