When thinking of ride-hailing or taxi apps, the first thing that probably comes to one’s mind is Careem or Uber. However, things have changed a lot on the transportation landscape since 2015 and thee some more and fast moving companies that have moved in to solve the transportation issues of Pakistan:
Siayara
Siayara is a new online taxi service that will cater to people looking for inexpensive transport in Karachi. Initially, they have started with 2,000 cars divided into four categories – eco-mini, eco-, eco-plus, and eco-business with reasonable fares and 24 hours service. The company aims to introduce a motorcycle service as well.
Buraq
Eyeing on the potential transport market, Timesaco, a Chinese company is all set to launch its online taxi service in six big cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar and it would be extended to other urban centers.
The company has an open-door policy as people could register their cars, bike, rickshaws, pickups, Qingqi loaders, and trucks with the company and get multiple ways for earning. Buraq drivers will get 97% share of their earning and company will get only 2% from drivers while one percent would be invested in Drivers’ Club for providing health and education services to families of drivers.
The company has initially invested $20 million with future prospects of $600 million. They intend to provide a rapid service platform to citizens by launching five special service including the Buraq Taxi Service, Heavy Cargo Delivery, Orders’ Delivery, Moving Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and vehicle advertisement facilities.
Swvl
Swvl, a Cairo-based firm, which is due to move its headquarters to Dubai in November, launched in Nairobi about six months ago and began operations in Lahore in July.
Pakistan is the second international market for Swvl. It has been successfully launched in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi and has recently launched in Karachi.
Swvl is an app-based bus hailing service, which is a private premium alternative to public transport. The Swvl app, which has fixed bus routes, uses the passenger’s location and destination to determine the shortest possible trip time based on the nearest bus stop. They make the commute comfortable in air-conditioned top-notch buses with spacious seats for just Rs 20!
Airlift
With fixed routes, timings and prices, Airlift is a daily commute ride app that lets users hail and track high quality, well-maintained mini-buses. Airlift is app based technology startup that offers a smart bus service tailor-made for daily commuters. With a fare of just 50 PKR, a reserved seat in an air conditioned mini bus and hundreds of routes spread all over Karachi and Lahore. Airlift is gradually becoming the first option of working professionals and students who have to travel in the morning and come back in the evening.
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Bykea
Smartphones and two wheelers are the two most common assets owned by the majority of the people in Pakistan. Bykea brings technology to leverage these assets for optimal utility and to bring a source of income to families.
Daewoo
The Daewoo Express has been providing its transportation services since the last 12 years to the crowd in Pakistan. The company has been providing long distance traveling to the public of Pakistan and aims to keep on increasing the number of destinations across the country. The company currently has 31 cities that it covers and 40 total destinations from Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). It’s the first of its kind to keep environment friendly technology in the bus system. To add up to the services, there’s a cargo service as well which is operational 24/7. Cargo consignments are transported safely and professionally from one city to another.
Faisal Movers
Started in 1994, under the banner of Faisal Movers with logistics business and then express bus service between Sargodha and Multan, which has been expanded to many folds. Faisal Movers serves as a hub of passenger transport throughout the length and breadth of Pakistan. Faisal Movers is having a large and modern fleet of buses which is catering the needs of approximately 300, 000 passengers per month nationwide.
Some of the other popular ride hailing apps are:
- Shahi Sawari (Rickshaw hailing app)
- A-Taxi (Turkey based company)
- Paxi (First female cab service)
[box type=”note” align=”” class=”” width=””]The writer is a Karachi based freelance columnist and is a banker by profession. He could be reached on Twitter @ReluctantAhsan[/box]