SafeBoda has announced that they'll be releasing a new feature called PAIR today [29/03/2018]. According to the official statement from the ride-hailing company, the new feature "allows you to pair instantly with a SafeBoda rider on the street!"
The statement added that it is "designed to be used in busy areas with a high volume of bodas available, the feature allows passengers to spot a SafeBoda rider, enter their helmet number into the app and match with them instantly."
Traditionally, transportation in Uganda is on-demand. For example, if one wants to board a taxi, they just stand on the road and the first to come is what they'll board. The same applies to cabs and boda-bodas.
Yet, technology hadn't been able to solve this problem. There was no way one would board the nearest SafeBoda. This is perhaps the leading reason some people still use other bodas or don't hail them through the app.
Also read: SafeBoda unveils new offices and logo
The introduction of this feature "means that passengers are still able to use the app." Something that'll allow SafeBoda tap into the market of those not willing to wait for 5 minutes.
Co-CEO, Maxime Dieudonne says, “SafeBoda’s mission is to constantly innovate to make
transportation in urban areas safer and more convenient. We’re really excited about this new feature which will reduce waiting time to zero.”
This new feature is "simple and easy to use in four steps": Spot a SafeBoda rider close by, tap PAIR in the app, enter the rider’s helmet number and match instantly with no waiting!
The feature has been under testing for now over five months. Towards the end of last year, I was invited to participate in a focus group discussion about it. My verdict is that it has been long overdue.
More: Uganda’s SafeBoda no longer Safe, Taxify going after it.