- It has OTP which is connected to M-Pesa
- Drivers described others in the market as oppressive
Image: Aura Ruth
A new taxi-hailing mobile-based application- Yego has taken over Mombasa digital taxi space as more drivers migrate to the new application.
Yego is giving other taxi applications like Uber and Bolt a run for their money.
Drivers have since signed an MoU with Yego, which they say has the interest of drivers at heart.
Henry Mule, drivers of Mombasa Council of Leaders chairman said they had problems in the industry since 2018 as they scout for reasonable rates, low commission and application that considers drivers as major stakeholders in the industry and application without upfront charges.
He said that they need an application that does the rating within the tick of the clock and the spin of the wheel, that is the distance covered and time taken.
"We have not been getting what we want in the other applications, we have found an application with all that we have been looking for," he said.
He described others in the market as oppressive as they deal with a driver through an application individually, they do not bring them together as drivers and listen to them.
Yego CEO Karanvir Singh said that the most important part that the company is playing is to remind the drivers that the power lies with them.
“Having taken powers back in their hands, the drivers will be at a point where they can ask for fair play not just by Yego but by any other app that wants to compete in this environment,”
He said that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had proposed for 18 per cent commission but the company reduced it to 12 per cent inclusive of tax.
“We said we are not going to play games, it is going to be the very straightforward business for the drivers who will be getting 88 per cent and get their payment 60 seconds after the ride,” he said.
“What we are doing is something which will change the driver’s lives, this will not only help them to make and have control of their lives but also be able to live a comfortable life,” he said.
He said that the company has a calling center which is a way of ensuring that there is adequate security for both passengers and drivers.
The Yego company boss said that they are not going to change because they started with the right goal and mind.
“We came here to redeem the lives of drivers, we wanted them to test freedom and am happy that in the coastal region, all the leaders and drivers are coming together to claim the freedom.”
The Yego App also has OTP which is connected to M-Pesa, hence helping drivers identify the full names of the customers, a plus for security purposes.