Mai Linh to introduce app-based motorbike taxi service
The soon-to-be-introduced Mai Linh Bike, known as M.Bike, will provide more options for app-based motorbike transport services and join UberMoto and GrabBike.
The new service has been tested for a month, according to the Mai Linh Group. M.Bike and M.Bike Premium apps are now available on smartphones at app stores. M.Bike Premium will offer higher quality vehicles at double the cost. Drivers can also register via the apps.
M.Bike is expected to allow customers to book rides from November 20, at VND11,000 ($0.48) for the first two kilometers and VND3,800 (0.167) for every subsequent kilometer. UberMoto charges a minimum of VND10,000 ($0.44) for the first two kilometers then VND3,700 (0.162) per kilometer and GrabBike charges VND11,000 for the first two kilometers and a flexible charge for every subsequent kilometer, depending on the time and demand.
M.Bike will be available in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City before expanding to other localities, according to the Mai Linh Group.
The Mai Linh Taxi booking app was launched a few months ago and there are plans to introduce more functions for searching, travel, shopping, and online payments.
At the end of 2014, Grab began to develop “technology motorbike taxis” in Ho Chi Minh City, which found success and created fierce competition. Many traditional taxi businesses then considered the development of similar system to increase competitiveness.
The Mai Linh Group, one of the major taxi operators in Vietnam, is the latest brand to offer the app-based service. In its financial report for the first half of this year, net revenues were estimated at VND1.72 trillion ($77.2 million), down 5 per cent year-on-year. The report also noted that up to 6,000 staff had resigned during the period, with the majority being drivers. The group currently employs 24,000 people. Many drivers have started working for app-based taxi services like Uber and Grab. The group announced it will recruit an additional 2,600 staff members, including 2,500 drivers.
The new service has been tested for a month, according to the Mai Linh Group. M.Bike and M.Bike Premium apps are now available on smartphones at app stores. M.Bike Premium will offer higher quality vehicles at double the cost. Drivers can also register via the apps.
M.Bike is expected to allow customers to book rides from November 20, at VND11,000 ($0.48) for the first two kilometers and VND3,800 (0.167) for every subsequent kilometer. UberMoto charges a minimum of VND10,000 ($0.44) for the first two kilometers then VND3,700 (0.162) per kilometer and GrabBike charges VND11,000 for the first two kilometers and a flexible charge for every subsequent kilometer, depending on the time and demand.
M.Bike will be available in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City before expanding to other localities, according to the Mai Linh Group.
The Mai Linh Taxi booking app was launched a few months ago and there are plans to introduce more functions for searching, travel, shopping, and online payments.
At the end of 2014, Grab began to develop “technology motorbike taxis” in Ho Chi Minh City, which found success and created fierce competition. Many traditional taxi businesses then considered the development of similar system to increase competitiveness.
The Mai Linh Group, one of the major taxi operators in Vietnam, is the latest brand to offer the app-based service. In its financial report for the first half of this year, net revenues were estimated at VND1.72 trillion ($77.2 million), down 5 per cent year-on-year. The report also noted that up to 6,000 staff had resigned during the period, with the majority being drivers. The group currently employs 24,000 people. Many drivers have started working for app-based taxi services like Uber and Grab. The group announced it will recruit an additional 2,600 staff members, including 2,500 drivers.
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