Motorcycle Taxis | Uber launches motorcycle taxi service UberTuk in Peru, will it work in Peru? Experts say Uber| UberTuk | Application | Urban Transport | Transportation in Peru | Informality | App | Application | economy

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According to UberThis introduction aims to revolutionize the movement in the country and complete this type of traditional movement in the Peruvian capital, but with the quality of the company.

“We believe in it Technology and diversity of preferences Movement Creating positive outcomes for the well-being and economy of Peruvian families. with UberTuk We want all Lima residents to enjoy the app's accessibility and safety standards. Uber; And thousands of drivers of these three-wheelers are accessing opportunities to earn extra income through the app.”said Camilo Segura, communications manager of Uber In the Andean region. And to encourage motorcycle taxi drivers to join the 'app', Uber Offers additional benefits on first 10 trips in initial days.

Although they have not yet confirmed the exact date for the start of operations, it is known that it will be implemented in the coming weeks and that it will start in the districts on the outskirts of Lima. UberTuk In all the districts in the outskirts of Lima the use of tricycles is high, which means that a good number of people will be used preferentially. For example: Ventanilla, Gomes, San Juan de Luricancho, among other jurisdictions far from the city centre, the company told this newspaper in a note. Peruvians interested in registering as drivers must own their own tricycle or Mototaxi In addition to mobilizing the passengers and filling the forms with the documents requested at check-in, along with the current normal inspection.

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Although this proposal is striking Movement of Uber, This is not the first time that a similar initiative has arisen in the app-based taxi market in Peru. In 2018, Easy Taxi – now absorbed Kefi– announced the launch of EasyKar with the same objective of connecting Motorcycle taxis And users, exactly 6 years ago.

According to Ojo Público, there are about 3 million motorcycles in the fleet Motorcycle taxisThis is more than 47% of the country's vehicles.

Why is EasyKar not working?

At the time, his country manager Chritophe Robiliard told this newspaper that they were targeting users they used. Motorcycle taxis Frequently and for some segments, it indicates that more than half of the population uses this form of transport.

Under the promise of security, In March 2018 they started a pilot phase with 100 motorcycle taxis in northern Lima (Independencia, Comas, San Martín and Los Olivos).

The goal was to reach 5 thousand drivers, extend to East Lima, South Lima and in the future to reach markets in the east of the country.

However, it did not succeed due to difficulties, the administrator told this newspaper, who described the recruitment of drivers as being 'in situ', with mobile phone selection operations in areas where drivers of these units are most available. Through meetings with motorcycle taxi drivers associations, reducing user service time is a major challenge.

The final termination of this service is, above all, Because the motorcycle taxi user chooses this mode of transportation for its speed (about 3 minutes), contracts with the department and issues of service hours. Also, due to service commissions, the executive said fares are generally cheaper, with Easy Taxi's service commission at 18%.

Six years on, will the panorama change? We know the 'app' provides more details about the service in the capital and the strategy it plans to implement. For now, informality and insecurity are the challenges of transportation through motorcycle taxis. In this sense, will EasyKar's history repeat itself? Is this a suitable alternative?

The experts speak

Freddy Linares-Torres, an expert in digital business and marketing at the Universidad del Pacifico, says informality and insecurity are characteristics of different transportation services. The steps to be attached to this UberTuk service at the time of registration should be the same or stricter than those used in the traditional transport service.

“We have to take into account the diversity of the country, environment and geography, and this transport gives a certain advantage even in short distances and cargo. Today this is a reality and providing an 'app' to facilitate the point of contact is undoubtedly convenient and beneficial for users”The expert says.

For his part, Alto Bravo, an expert in transportation engineering and UPC professor, introduced UberTuk Represents a venture into the Peruvian market Take advantage of the unmet need in an urban environment characterized by chaos and lack of order.

“While UberTuck can provide a real-time assessment and monitoring system, the question is whether it can truly guarantee the safety of passengers using motorcycle taxis in Peru. In an environment with little regulation, the service will exacerbate the situation rather than provide an effective and sustainable solution to the challenges of informality and insecurity in transportation.

Alto Bravo explains, Expert in Transportation Engineering and Professor at UPC.

Linares-Torres mentions the case of previous experience that didn't work Easy taxi, the previous 'app', tested the service in its own way. He assures that demand is not a problem, but adding very high commissions while talking about very small payouts may discourage motorcycle taxi drivers from joining the service, as the current rate is usually Mototaxi It's a digit.

The expert recommends that UberTuk You need to have a demand-driven strategy that allows you to use the service and add 'fees' (commissions).

Bravo says the failed EasyKar case offers valuable lessons. While lower fares or incentives for drivers may be considered, the expert insists that these measures are temporary solutions in a system that needs complete structural reform.

“It is very possible UberTuk are facing such challenges EasyCarTo address these, you may want to prioritize ensuring compliance with local authorities and regulators and addressing security concerns. In a country where informality and corruption often nullify efforts at change, the idea that a combination of regulatory and security measures will make the chaotic and disorganized motorcycle taxi system a viable solution is unrealistic.“, sentence.

Opportunities and risks

The new service will make it easier for users to locate their units Mototaxi So short, Linares-Torres explains, because users have to walk to find a unit. Bravo acknowledges that transit access can be an opportunity in areas where other modes of transportation are limited, as well as creating jobs for local drivers.

while, They foresee problems such as the number of units that can be connected to this system and how to pass all the filters.Thinking about the safety of travelers implies passing through these filters, which – adds Linares-Torres – must be permanently censored. To ensure drivers meet long-term needs.

For Bravo, it is precisely at this point that one of the potential risks he observes is: the safety of passengers and drivers, unfair competition in informal transport services and opposition from motorcycle taxi unions.

The expert insists Motorcycle taxis A possible scenario to improve urban mobility is a combination of effective regulation, solid safety measures, quality of service, coordination, where a proposal for a use is not enough. Public transport, accessibility and sustainability. In the Peruvian context, he adds, this aspiration can be seen as a naïve idealization of reality. Transportation in Peru.

“There is a need for a fundamental review of the transport system, including serious measures to address the entrenched informality in the sector. The thought of Mototaxi What could be a possible solution is unrealistic and ultimately only serves to mask an unwillingness to face the problems head-on.Analysis.

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According to Uber, drivers must meet requirements such as a B-IIC driver's license and mandatory traffic accident insurance. In addition, they must submit a criminal record certificate and a municipal vehicle driving certificate.

“Due to our alliance with Pacifico the trips with the application are covered by the policy. In Peru, we currently have more than 30 safety tools that allow us to make every trip, in any of the mobility options in use, in the safest, most comfortable and efficient way.” concluded Segura, Uber's spokesperson for the Andean region.