Why are Ride-Hailing Services More Popular in Pakistan - Android

Recently, ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem can be found in nearly every major city in Pakistan, effectively giving taxis… Read More

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Recently, ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem can be found in nearly every major city in Pakistan, effectively giving taxis a run for their money. But while they’ve been gaining market share over the years, traditional taxis are still holding their ground as a common transportation service in and around cities.

There are noticeable differences between taking a ride-hailing service vs a taxi and people choose one over the other depending on their preferences. So what is the difference between taking a ride-hailing service vs a taxi?

Here is a comparison to help you decide what to choose.

Getting a Ride

Traditional black and yellow cabs are only accessible through street hailing. Careem/Uber, on the other hand, is an app-based service where customers can request a ride from anywhere at any time. Not only can you request a ride from anywhere you want, but you can also choose between different classes of rides that vary in price and convenience.

One disadvantage of using Uber is that drivers often cancel rides if they’re unwilling to go to a certain location. Over time, this has improved as Uber has worked on its driver and vehicle quality, however, there is still room for improvement.

Careem is guilty of this too, somewhat, as you won’t find any rides at the time or Careem drivers will not accept your rides at all. The same thing applies with regular taxis as well, as they can refuse to go to a certain place while you’re negotiating.

Because of this, it’s fair to say that Uber, taxis, and Careem fall victim to the same problem when it comes to refusing rides.

Fare Estimates and Rate Comparison

Uber/Careem passengers get a fare estimate before starting a ride. This fare estimate is shown before completing the ride request process on the app, helping you decide whether you want to go on with the ride or cancel the ride request. You can also go completely cashless by choosing to pay with your credit/debit card. This saves you from the hassle of haggling.

You also get to choose from a variety of vehicle types including rickshaws, motorcycles, cars with/without ac, and premium ride types, with fares varying on each type.

With a taxi, you don’t get any estimates and they can vary with different cabbies offering different rates for the same route.

While fares for ride-hailing services have increased over the past few weeks, they are still generally cheaper than a traditional taxi. You also receive occasional promos and discounts from time to time, which tilts the balance in the former’s favor.

Safety

With ride-sharing services, you can almost always expect professional service as drivers try to keep their ratings up so they get more rides. The drivers or riders can be reported and terminated from the service if there are reports of misconduct on either party’s account. You can also track the rides, match the driver’s profile with the vehicle or cancel your rides and get your money back.

Local taxi drivers are not subject to the same rules. And for that reason, they are normally considered the safer option compared to taxis.

Conclusion

Passengers are usually motivated by cost. Ride-hailing services have shown that you can get around the city in a decent vehicle for more affordable rates than a traditional taxi, hence prompting more people to sign up for the service.

Also, because their apps have made transportation easier, more convenient, and also safer, it is quickly becoming the sought after option.

However, local taxis still enjoy a lot of patronage, especially during Uber’s surge pricing or Careem’s peak factor when there is a lack of drivers or if the mobile network is down.

Still, they’re the go-to option for most people in the major cities across Pakistan.

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