Afrigather inDrive, the California-headquartered ride-hailing app, which launched in Botswana in 2019, has launched a ten% fee cost for drivers in Botswana, efficient from February 28. The introduction coincides with the launch of Bolt within the nation on the identical day, setting the bottom for an fascinating ride-hailing battle.
In keeping with the corporate, introducing the fee cost types a part of a method to make additional investments in Botswana, which inDrive describes as a “high precedence market”.
“After working with out commissions for 5 years, this aligns with our strategic targets to offer truthful city mobility entry to extra clients in Botswana,” mentioned Vincent Lilane, enterprise improvement consultant, at inDrive in Southern Africa.
Since inDrive’s launch in Botswana in February 2019, drivers have been working it commission-free.
Drivers who spoke to TechCabal differed on the introduction of the fee price. One driver, who has been utilizing the service for nearly two years, said that the fee was not a difficulty as they knew about it beforehand. “They’re a enterprise too, so it is sensible for them to wish to make cash,” the motive force mentioned.
Nevertheless, one other driver mentioned it was unfair for inDrive to begin charging commissions earlier than addressing some points drivers had earlier communicated.
“inDrive has to place a minimal on what riders can supply for rides,” he mentioned. “A few of these rides are so low-cost, and we solely settle for them due to desperation.”
inDrive’s mannequin permits riders to set a value for a journey which a driver can settle for or refuse.
Since launching in Botswana 5 years in the past, the service has had blended fortunes. Though it has grown in popularity as an alternative choice to public transport, it has additionally confronted allegations of driver misconduct and has encountered pushback from native public transport operators who accuse them of taking away their enterprise.
