Denis Opudo
The high traffic in Lagos Nigeria has led to many innovators coming up the ways of reducing it. Traffic congestions in major African towns have led to the slow rate of economic growth. The first way to reduce the traffic congestions in Nigeria has been launched. Keke NAPERS have been used in Nigeria to overcome traffic. They know how to overcome traffic more than the car and are safer than the bicycles.
The recently launched app is called Matattu. Matattu launched by Samuel Ajiboyede, and the Harvard graduate’s app is on high demand for those who prefer the online transport. All you need to do is just to sign up, set your location and destination, and your Matattu driver will be right there. The app shows the customer the price of the distance. Before alighting from the vehicle one has an option of paying with cash or card. The services are just like the rest of the taxi online operators.
The company has a private fleet of tricycles that is an improvement from the current e-hailing model. The company gives a chance to 3rd party owners to come on board by either signing up as a driver on the platform given provided that their tricycle meets given qualifications. One can as well give out tricycles to the available drivers and being paid back in return.
The company has signed an agreement with Tricycle Owners and operation Association of Nigeria (TOOAN). TOOAN is the group that deals with the tricycle management in Lagos and they are informed that there are plans by the government to do away with kekes. In case there is a ban on Kekes, the organization will source for an alternative and how they can change the system.
In case there is a changed system that convinces the government to withhold their plan. Keke has already designed specific routes to use in Lagos. The company charges 20% on each transaction but says that drivers are in a position to double their usual daily earnings. The app can now be downloaded from the Google Play Store. It has also been reported that the company is also planning to have Uber Bikes as part of their project.
