The company said in the statement, “UberMoto service is specifically developed for cities in emerging markets where congestion is high, so it seems plausible that UberMoto may be extended to new cities and countries over time”. The bigger headline, however, is that the company also announced the launch of its motorcycle taxi service, “UberMOTO”.
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UberMOTO will work in the same way that other Uber taxi services do: the user enters a pickup location, payment method, and requests a ride.
For safety, the motorcycle drivers will be equipped with a second helmet, live Global Positioning System tracking, two-way feedback and the ability to share trip details with family and friends. No word on whether it will have a functioning buckle.
The service has debuted as a pilot program in Bangkok, a city overflowing with traffic generated by automobiles.
It will widen the Uber fleet from cars, to include motor scooters and traditional three-wheeled autorickshaws, popularly seen in Thailand.
Does this mean that other countries across Asia, in which motorbike taxis are common, will be seeing the launch of UberMoto soon?
Now, Uber’s on-demand motorbike service will be available to commuters in the Bangkok districts of Sathorn, Siam and Silom. The rides will be available at a base rate of ฿10 ($0.28), plus ฿3.5 a kilometer ($0.10) and ฿0.85 a minute ($0.02).
The US startup however is teaming with Thai traffic police to spread awareness about motorcycle safety – including the need for helmets – and is pledging to properly screen all who sign up to ride a bike for its new service.
The move might also help increase the presence of Uber in the region where an alliance between chief rivals still dominates.
This is not for the first time that Uber is experimenting with some unique services.
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Uber launched in Thailand in 2014 and has hit a couple of bumps along the way.
