Ride hailing should put in feasible measures to help in rebuilding the economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences not only on the global economy but also on the social lives of individuals. This outbreak has caused an unprecedented disruption to life and livelihoods. People are now drastically adjusting to the new normal, as governments relax restrictions.

With the gradual reopening of businesses and easing of movements, overcrowding at public transport stations could still be among the weak links for transmission of coronavirus if appropriate actions are not taken by industry players. 

Due to this fact, more people will now likely opt towards the use of ride-hailing services as a measure to adhere to the social distance guidelines and avoid overcrowded public transport. Individuals are becoming more cautious of their public behaviors and how they move around.

Public institutions and private companies are also putting in place measures to have better control over their employees’ transportation needs in an organized and affordable manner during this phase of the pandemic.

This therefore means that ride solutions from hailing companies might gain more popularity in the coming months as the country looks to reopen the economy. More people will need safe and convenient transportation.  Ride hailing stands as a better option in offering a safer choice for people to be able to commute to and from work conveniently and safely. This will help in flattening the curve as well as possibly preventing a second wave of infections.

This being so, it is hence incumbent upon the ride hailing industry to put in place appropriate measures to meet the increasing demand and offer protection to passengers and drivers against spread of the virus.

With their existing technologies, these service providers should creatively broaden their service delivery options and use it more broadly in this time of need. Many of these efforts should be focused on ramping up efficiency, ensuring safety and making the most out of the existing system.

Keeping passengers and drivers protected from Covid-19 virus during a trip is an important element for the ride-hailing industry now more than ever. Creating new protective categories such as those with in-cabin separation that can prevent airflow between passenger and driver is one such constructive venture. It minimizes the risks of exposure hence curbing the spread of Coronavirus during a trip. 

Like in the case of Bolt Protect ride type, the tactic has not only reduced the risk of exposure to the virus, but has also played a significant role in expanding the available commute options for passengers - providing most convenient and readily available rides to many urban dwellers as they conduct their daily activities. With the new ways of living brought by this virus, such ride-categories are deemed essential to the ride-hailing industry.  

To be more impactful in this fight, these wide array of ride options by the ride hailing service providers are being provided at the most affordable rates enabling as many people as possible to have access to a variety of quality and safe transportation systems. 

Social Partnerships are also crucial in winning this war. The Ride hailing sector should continue working in partnership with governments in this fight. The technology and infrastructure of such companies can be actively leveraged to help in contact tracing processes and also stepping up to help healthcare professionals get to work and back safely.

In order to remain invaluable in rebuilding the economy and curbing further spread of the virus as the economy re-opens, the ride hailing sector needs to collaborate further with the government and work towards coming up with feasible measures that will streamline their operations and keep them in the forefront, in a bid to flattening the curve.

The writer is the Country Manager at Bolt.

Ride hailing should put in feasible measures to help in rebuilding the economy

With their existing technologies, these service providers should creatively broaden their service delivery options and use it more broadly

Ola Akinnusi

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences not only on the global economy but also on the social lives of individuals. This outbreak has caused an unprecedented disruption to life and livelihoods. People are now drastically adjusting to the new normal, as governments relax restrictions.

With the gradual reopening of businesses and easing of movements, overcrowding at public transport stations could still be among the weak links for transmission of coronavirus if appropriate actions are not taken by industry players. 

Due to this fact, more people will now likely opt towards the use of ride-hailing services as a measure to adhere to the social distance guidelines and avoid overcrowded public transport. Individuals are becoming more cautious of their public behaviors and how they move around.

Public institutions and private companies are also putting in place measures to have better control over their employees’ transportation needs in an organized and affordable manner during this phase of the pandemic.

This therefore means that ride solutions from hailing companies might gain more popularity in the coming months as the country looks to reopen the economy. More people will need safe and convenient transportation.  Ride hailing stands as a better option in offering a safer choice for people to be able to commute to and from work conveniently and safely. This will help in flattening the curve as well as possibly preventing a second wave of infections.

This being so, it is hence incumbent upon the ride hailing industry to put in place appropriate measures to meet the increasing demand and offer protection to passengers and drivers against spread of the virus.

With their existing technologies, these service providers should creatively broaden their service delivery options and use it more broadly in this time of need. Many of these efforts should be focused on ramping up efficiency, ensuring safety and making the most out of the existing system.

Keeping passengers and drivers protected from Covid-19 virus during a trip is an important element for the ride-hailing industry now more than ever. Creating new protective categories such as those with in-cabin separation that can prevent airflow between passenger and driver is one such constructive venture. It minimizes the risks of exposure hence curbing the spread of Coronavirus during a trip. 

Like in the case of Bolt Protect ride type, the tactic has not only reduced the risk of exposure to the virus, but has also played a significant role in expanding the available commute options for passengers - providing most convenient and readily available rides to many urban dwellers as they conduct their daily activities. With the new ways of living brought by this virus, such ride-categories are deemed essential to the ride-hailing industry.  

To be more impactful in this fight, these wide array of ride options by the ride hailing service providers are being provided at the most affordable rates enabling as many people as possible to have access to a variety of quality and safe transportation systems. 

Social Partnerships are also crucial in winning this war. The Ride hailing sector should continue working in partnership with governments in this fight. The technology and infrastructure of such companies can be actively leveraged to help in contact tracing processes and also stepping up to help healthcare professionals get to work and back safely.

Ride hailing should put in feasible measures to help in rebuilding the economy

With their existing technologies, these service providers should creatively broaden their service delivery options and use it more broadly

Ola Akinnusi

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences not only on the global economy but also on the social lives of individuals. This outbreak has caused an unprecedented disruption to life and livelihoods. People are now drastically adjusting to the new normal, as governments relax restrictions.

With the gradual reopening of businesses and easing of movements, overcrowding at public transport stations could still be among the weak links for transmission of coronavirus if appropriate actions are not taken by industry players. 

Due to this fact, more people will now likely opt towards the use of ride-hailing services as a measure to adhere to the social distance guidelines and avoid overcrowded public transport. Individuals are becoming more cautious of their public behaviors and how they move around.

Public institutions and private companies are also putting in place measures to have better control over their employees’ transportation needs in an organized and affordable manner during this phase of the pandemic.

This therefore means that ride solutions from hailing companies might gain more popularity in the coming months as the country looks to reopen the economy. More people will need safe and convenient transportation.  Ride hailing stands as a better option in offering a safer choice for people to be able to commute to and from work conveniently and safely. This will help in flattening the curve as well as possibly preventing a second wave of infections.

This being so, it is hence incumbent upon the ride hailing industry to put in place appropriate measures to meet the increasing demand and offer protection to passengers and drivers against spread of the virus.

With their existing technologies, these service providers should creatively broaden their service delivery options and use it more broadly in this time of need. Many of these efforts should be focused on ramping up efficiency, ensuring safety and making the most out of the existing system.

Keeping passengers and drivers protected from Covid-19 virus during a trip is an important element for the ride-hailing industry now more than ever. Creating new protective categories such as those with in-cabin separation that can prevent airflow between passenger and driver is one such constructive venture. It minimizes the risks of exposure hence curbing the spread of Coronavirus during a trip. 

Like in the case of Bolt Protect ride type, the tactic has not only reduced the risk of exposure to the virus, but has also played a significant role in expanding the available commute options for passengers - providing most convenient and readily available rides to many urban dwellers as they conduct their daily activities. With the new ways of living brought by this virus, such ride-categories are deemed essential to the ride-hailing industry.  

To be more impactful in this fight, these wide array of ride options by the ride hailing service providers are being provided at the most affordable rates enabling as many people as possible to have access to a variety of quality and safe transportation systems. 

Social Partnerships are also crucial in winning this war. The Ride hailing sector should continue working in partnership with governments in this fight. The technology and infrastructure of such companies can be actively leveraged to help in contact tracing processes and also stepping up to help healthcare professionals get to work and back safely.

In order to remain invaluable in rebuilding the economy and curbing further spread of the virus as the economy re-opens, the ride hailing sector needs to collaborate further with the government and work towards coming up with feasible measures that will streamline their operations and keep them in the forefront, in a bid to flattening the curve.

The writer is the Country Manager at Bolt.

In order to remain invaluable in rebuilding the economy and curbing further spread of the virus as the economy re-opens, the ride hailing sector needs to collaborate further with the government and work towards coming up with feasible measures that will streamline their operations and keep them in the forefront, in a bid to flattening the curve.

The writer is the Country Manager at Bolt.