Motorbike taxi service is gaining in popularity in Hanoi, with dozens of uniformed drivers on company bikes doing a brisk business outside My Dinh Station.

Motorbike taxi service is gaining popularity in Hanoi

With some ten companies now competing in Hanoi, offering price-meter rides, the service is growing in popularity. Operations began in HCM City in 2012.

Companies own and maintain the bikes, which carry the company logo and contact details, much like a normal taxi, and pay drivers a monthly salary of 70 percent of metered fares they collect.

Many drivers said that because operations are managed by companies, they earn a more stable income and get health insurance.

The motorbike taxi companies maintain a hotline for customers complaints to deter drivers attempting to falsify fares, or take longer routes than necessary, as well as to report on any poor attitude.

The Chairman of the Hanoi Automobile Transport Association, Bui Danh Lien, said that while motorbike taxis are a new service, the companies need to ensure transparency in setting prices for customers and focus on delivering good service.

A challenge for companies in Hanoi will be to build professional and competitive fleets of drivers.