The US-based mobility firm inDrive has just scored an official license to operate right here in Kenya. Joining Uber, Little Cabs, and Bolt, there’s a new player in town, and they mean business! Now, in case you’re wondering, inDrive is not entirely new to Nairobi. Back in 2019, they were cruising the streets as inDriver taxis. But last October, they decided to give themselves a fresh makeover and rebranded as inDrive.
With this official license, inDrive is ready to shake up the local transportation scene. Their mission? To provide us Kenyans with safe, reliable, and affordable mobility options. And hey, that sounds like music to our ears, doesn’t it?
Godfrey Mabula, inDrive’s business representative in Kenya, couldn’t contain his excitement. He said, “inDrive is thrilled to be part of the local transportation ecosystem. We’re ready to team up with our local drivers and serve the community while making sure safety and fair pricing are our top priorities.” Kudos to them for keeping our well-being in mind!
Now, inDrive isn’t just your average ride-hailing company. They’ve already made a name for themselves in over 200 cities worldwide, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. They’ve been on the road for quite some time, and now they’re here to give their competitors a run for their money.
Speaking of competition, the Kenyan digital taxi market has seen its fair share of price wars. These companies are slashing their trip rates left and right, all in an attempt to woo us riders. It’s a battle out there!
So, how does inDrive plan to stand out? Well, when it comes to commission charges, they play it smart. They charge a reasonable five to ten percent, depending on the market. On the other hand, Uber and Bolt take a chunky 18 percent (down from 25 percent) and 20 percent, respectively. And let’s not forget Little, who comes in with a 15 percent commission. Looks like inDrive has found the sweet spot!
Now, all these pricing shenanigans took place after a strike by drivers last November. They wanted the tech platforms to follow new regulations capping their charges at 18 percent. Uber even took it to court, but that’s a whole different story.
Speaking of regulations, the National Transport and Safety Authority has laid down some rules for ride-hailing companies. According to these new guidelines, the commission charged by digital taxi operators should not exceed 18 percent per trip. Additionally, operators need to have a valid license for a year, have a registered office in Kenya, and be registered as data controllers or processors with the Data Commissioner. Safety and accountability!
So, inDrive wasted no time in applying for their operating license once the regulations were announced. They believe in full compliance with the law to ensure the best and safest service for us, their beloved customers.