Uber launches on-demand motorbike service in Thailand
Wed 24 Feb 2016
Uber has today launched a new option for users to hail motorbikes via its app in the Thai capital, Bangkok. The UberMOTO feature will be introduced as an extension of the taxi-app’s existing offering.
Already a common mode of transport in Thailand, moto-taxis spatter Bangkok’s cityscape. Now, Uber’s on-demand motorbike service will be available to commuters in the Bangkok districts of Sathorn, Siam and Silom.
“Motorcycles are part of the commuting culture in Thailand. With UberMOTO, we’re thrilled to introduce a product that resonates with Thai people while creating tens of thousands of flexible work opportunities for Thais,” commented [paywalled] Douglas Ma, Uber’s head of Asia expansion.
The ride-hailing company has partnered with the Thai traffic police, as well as the Head Awareness Club (HAC), to help ensure the safety of both drivers and riders. A public awareness campaign and a community outreach scheme will be launched to promote motorbike safety, particularly the importance of wearing a helmet. Uber has said that it will also be supporting the projects by donating helmets.
“Helmets save lives, so we are proud to be working together with Uber and the Thai traffic police to spread the importance of safety through education so we don’t lose more lives to negligence,” said HAC manager Surasit Silapangam.
UberMOTO will work in exactly the same way as Uber’s other services. Users will be able to select their chosen pick-up and drop-off locations, and payment method, before requesting a ride. As all Bangkok motorcycle drivers and riders are required to wear helmets by law, users will be handed one from their UberMOTO driver on each journey.
Uber’s standard safety measures will also be present in the MOTO service, including real-time GPS tracking, two-way feedback and trip data-sharing options.
The new offering has arrived to fight off recent competition from Southeast Asian rival GrabTaxi’s GrabBike [Indonesian] service. A similar on-demand motorcycle option is also available from Indonesian platform Go-Jek.
