With companies such as EasyTaxi, GrabTaxi and Uber, it’s never been easier to summon a car or cab in Saigon. However, xe ôms have been left out of the digital transportation revolution. That is, of course, until now.
Earlier this month, GrabTaxi launched GrabBike, a service which allows users to order xe ôms via the popular iOS and Android app.
Tech in Asia’s Anh-Minh Do says that even thought the service is still in beta, it should catch on quickly with the city’s xe ôm drivers.
“GrabTaxi usually gives out smartphones to its taxi drivers, so it’s likely doing the same with the motorbike riders it has persuaded to sign up,” writes Do. “These xe ôm are quite poor – some live and sleep on their motorbikes – so many will likely welcome the chance to use their working time more efficiently with a taxi app.”
In 2013, a similar scheme was launched in Hanoi by Aloxeom but it had neither the brand recognition nor the funding which GrabTaxi enjoys.
The GrabBike service is only available in Vietnam and seems to be operational. We recently tested the service and were shown 6 xe ôms in our immediate area.
