Uber starts motorbike-hailing service, picks Thailand for launch

Uber has launched its first motorbike service in Thailand, expanding beyond the company’s traditional four-wheeled ride offerings.

BANGKOK-Uber Technologies Inc.is breaking into motorcycle bookings, taking its battle to win over users in Southeast Asia to the traffic-clogged streets of Bangkok. The company’s main competitor in the region, Singapore-based ride-hailing app Grab, in 2014 launched a motorbike service in nearby Vietnam.

For Bangkok Uber users, UberMOTO will be available as another option within the Uber app, with the same mechanics as its traditional vehicle services. No word on whether it will have a functioning buckle. Now, since the Uber has taken up the challenge, the commuters are expecting it to operate the service in more organised way.

Uber has also said it’s partnering with the Thai Traffic Police and Head Awareness Club (HAC) to help promote safety on the notoriously hectic roads in Bangkok.

Does this mean that other countries across Asia, in which motorbike taxis are common, will be seeing the launch of UberMoto soon?

The scheme is a pilot project, so it’s unclear if it will spread to other cities – but Uber does point out that it’s designed for emerging markets with bad traffic situations.

This isn’t the first time the company has tried to expand to alternate modes of transportation. This editor has personally seen as many as six people on a single motorcycle taxi (seriously), and it was an anxiety-inducing moment.

Fares start at 10 baht (28 US cents), and cost an additional 3.50 baht for each kilometer and 0.85 baht per minute for every ride – cheaper than the auto service.

It should be noted, however, that UberMOTO is only available in the districts of Sathorn, Siam and Silom for the time being.

Ma declined to say how many motorbike drivers the company had already signed up but said it was in the thousands.