[ Kenny Sagawa, Webike News Chief Editor ]

“Moto taxi w/ vehicle allocation application” is rapidly infiltrating the Southeast Asia

I’ve read a newspaper article telling that moto taxis are now so popular in the Southeast Asian countries. The “vehicle allocation application” that is rapidly infiltrating the world seems to be the factor behind this boom.

This application system for moto taxi allocation is based on the car taxi service of Uber Technologies Inc.(USA), which allocates taxis by smartphone applications. In order to get a ride, the user is to download their application for free and register the user information first. Then the user can call a taxi through the on-line system just by setting the location and time.

Uber broadens the network of moto taxis

In countries like Indonesia or Vietnam, where transportation infrastructure is yet to be developed, chronic traffic jams pose a serious social problem. The article said that the motorcycle’s mobile power and the IT technology were combined together to form a new type of transportation that perfectly suited the requirements of the people. They also stated that it was “rapidly developing to become the means of common transportation.”

I’ve been to Vietnam on a business trip a few years ago, and have witnessed the heavy traffic jam situation in cities like Ho Chi Minh.
The cars were making a rush from all directions at an intersection without turn signals, and all of them were getting stuck. Even then, I’d seen small bikes and motor scooters making their way through those jams.

Many of those bikes were rode double. I frequently saw what seemed to be a motorcycle taxi, too. A prettily-dressed woman (probably an office worker) was sitting sidesaddle on the passenger seat.

That was how it was like when there was no such thing as vehicle allocation application. So now, I can readily understand that motorcycle taxis are doing such a good business.
According to the article, a “moto taxi” driver has become a popular occupation which attracts young people in those countries. Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, who considered this trend as their business chance, have been reaching out for the new market, like developing new motorcycles for moto taxis.

Expansion of “Moto Taxi” service. Potential in Japan.

When we look at the current state of Japan, there seems to be a business chance different from that of Southeast Asian countries.

For instance, it can be used for the transportation of senior citizens, who have trouble walking on their own to go to their daycare nursing homes. Or, it can be used for shopping on behalf of them. When you come to think of the cost or the burden on the elderly people using the route travelling buses, or the cost and energy consumption amount of taxis rode alone, “Moto Taxis” may be far more convenient and efficient.

Furthermore, “Moto Taxis” can be chosen as the transportation tool for easy leisure activities. In the unprecedented ageing society, it wouldn’t surprise me seeing more old people making full use of their smartphones.

“Moto Taxi” can meet the demand of business use as well. People who work in a place where they can hardly catch a taxi, or busy businessmen who are crunched for time can actually use the “Moto Taxi” as their cheap and easily maneuverable private ride.

Of course, we need to prepare things like a new application software, an exclusive “Moto Taxi” vehicle (how I’d love to see one!), and a well-trained “Moto Taxi” driver, in order to make this really happen.

Foresight of “Vehicle Allocation Application w/ Moto Taxi” business

At present, in many countries including Japan, these types of service using the vehicle allocation application are causing friction between the new and the old taxi companies. And as a consequence, each countries have no choice but to tighten their restrictions. Although they are in the state of such confusion, it is also true that the products or service which the customers really require will survive.

When considering that fact, it may not be long before you see lots of “Moto Taxi w/ Vehicle Allocation Application” busily passing by the street of your town.