Abebe Belay, a businessman who had been living in South Africa for over 17 years. He had been working in property and retail businesses as well as the transportation industry. Through time, Abebe and his colleagues developed an application called Biza, a Zulu word which means come on or to call. The application helps to modernize taxi services and eliminate illegal activities in the area with smart control of the overall movement of a given taxi. The controlling devices facilitate proper communication between the managers and users. The new system helps to advance transportation, hotel, and tourism industries with enhanced online services, Abebe said.
Currently, South Africa has been enjoying the system and the developers are also working to expand it to other African countries including Ethiopia. Six months ago, Abebe decided to bring the technology to Ethiopia in cooperation with other Ethiopian businessmen. Right now, everything is ready to apply the technology, he said, adding that the Biza Rides applications are available at Google app store, play store, android electronics among others. Therefore, people can download the application and use the advanced taxi transport service. Customers can also contact the Biza Rides call center via 6288, he disclosed.
“Our country’s transport system is traditional. We have aged vehicles. Besides, the public has not developed a technology-friendly culture. Like the old but also the young generation does not have an opportunity to apply technology properly.”
Traditionally, taxi drivers increase cost on passengers due to various reasons like when they get strangers or customers having heavy baggage. Even they ask for high payment from customers when the time runs to midnight. However, the new technology will keep customers safe from such exploitation. A device known as a smart mirror will be installed in cars.
Then the drivers install the application that enables them to know the location and distance of their customer. The application has a Google map that enables them to navigate the shortest and appropriate direction to reach to their customers. Biza Rides is working with stakeholders such as the city transport authority, Avanza Meter Taxi Association, and the Ethiopian Airports to apply the system shortly, according to Abebe.
The implementation of an online taxi service has a better opportunity for customers in terms of safety and security. It will give relief to customers as they get a taxi service from the place where they are. Customers will confidently use the service as the cars in the system are legally registered and can be easily detected anytime if they commit crimes, according to Commander Ahmed Mehammed, Addis Ababa City Transport Authority Head. The system is also significant to avert possible disagreements on cost as it regulates fair and fixed payment based on distance. The implementation of the Biza Rides in Addis might also lead to the expansion of the service across the country.
Currently, the city transport authority is working to implement guidelines to legalize the new system. Accordingly, the guideline commands car owners to get code one license to engage in the system. He said that the authority has given a meter taxi license to six electronic taxi service providing organizations that are Addica, Alta, Beza, Ita, Ligaba, and Zaytech. About 22 organizations have presented proposals to join the system. According to him, the rest code three taxis that illegally engaged in the system have got a relief time to fulfill the code one vehicle’s requirements until August 2020.
Transport is a basic industry that touches everyone’s daily life. Today, many are languishing from the shortage of transportation. It needs a strong inspection to be carried out safely and carefully supported by law, according to Biza Ride Head Junedin Basha. “We have been conducting a situational assessment for six months to apply the system.” Therefore, Biza Rides has set to apply the system.
It also planned to give training for drivers soon on the implementation of the system. However, the system requires accessible connectivity as it uses Google Maps to smooth communication between customers and service suppliers. “Thus, we expect the ethio-telecom to solve problems related to internet interruptions,” Junedin noted.
Yet, several taxi service associations have been reviewing Biza Rides’ service system and some of them like Avanza has inked an agreement to engage in the area. The system enables users to be productive by saving time and energy as it allows them to get transportation easily, Junedin stated.
Customers who come from abroad can schedule the service even before their arrival. This will enable them to keep themselves from exploitation. More than 200 taxis have been registered last week to join the business. Avanza Meter Taxi Association and Bole Taxi Association are the first taxi associations that provided many of the taxis. Biza Rides is also working to incorporate individual taxi owners to the business, he said.
Business peoples have a creative mind. And now they brought an electronic taxi service to Ethiopia. It seems also being wise to use such advanced transportation services to get secured from manipulators. The city transport authority also plans to apply the system across the capital by licensing code three taxis into code one. But it needs to be expanded to states so that business people and visitors will get better transportation services available in hand via their cell phone.
The Ethiopian Herald December24, 2019
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
