Über and me!

This week I got a chance to enjoy the benefits of riding in the 60 Billion Dollar Worth Global Über service. 
Fortunately, I joined when they were working on a new promotion that allows new users to ride for free or the equivalent of 15000UGX which is like £3 or $5. Under similar arrangements any new referrals can then be credited under your account so that you can get the benefits of introducing others to the service. 

Registration 

Registration for the service was simple enough and all it took was an email and password. The smart device handles the rest and creates a default pick up spot depending on where you are located. So as can be expected the service is really heavy on location and mapping. 

Possibilities

Perhaps partly because of the force of habit, I walked back home and watched the Motorcycle guys by the road side and a day later, I was back with my helmet and onto the good ol Boda Boda. I could not help wishing for a similar service though for the motorcycle taxis. To combine the efficiency and speed of the two wheelers with the technical know how of a global giant. But maybe this is wishful thinking. So my mind kept thinking about the possibility of a Boduber (combining über and the Boda Boda) borrowing heavily from the efficiency and safety as well as the massive background checks to create a service worth investing in and worth having in your city centre. 

Competition

Meanwhile back here, there is a new service that is also looking to make some inroads in the transportation business. It is also designed to compete against the standard taxi (special hire). These guys have enjoyed a monopoly for a while and have therefore been able to dictate the price of their services. Usually a casual look at the user allows the driver some liberty in deciding what to charge the potential client. Which is why the central management system that equates mileage to cost is a step ahead. What is different about Über, is that the cost and travel component is linked to a richer control system that can be monitored. The service also allows locals with nice cars to make a little extra cash especially on less hectic days...and now a lot more as roads that were being planned for and developed begin to take shape. 

The buses and the train service (currently running-although not fully) as well as proposals for bike lanes are still in the table but my guess is that the future is really bright for those in the transportation business. If you doubt this just pay a visit to city square (a key centre for business in Uganda) any time after five and you will see the long lines heading out of the city towards Jinja Rd. and those going in the opposite direction towards Bombo Rd. 

Internationally

Uganda has done well and on the whole seems to be more willing to embrace new businesses. So far there seems to be little opposition to the new entrant. Usually our far sighted business people will watch the activity for a while and then make the switch to the new player if they sense too much resistance. Kenya on the other hand has been a lot more vocal and active in its opposition to the new kid (although this cannot really be viewed as a kid!). We wait to see how long the process of adoption will be sustained. I think so the service is good and that as the space expands and developments in transportation increase we can expect even better services. 


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