Unlike the rest of the boda hailing apps, SafeBoda has always not had any trip increments during peak hours. Through the service, one would request for a boda ride without any trip reflections like high traffic carried forward to the trip, but now, SafeBoda has made it much easier for the drivers to rejoice with the introduction of these trip fares.

How SafeBoda’s new trip increments reflect on the app

Before requesting for a trip, the SafeBoda app will display the trip estimate as usual and increment any peak figures to the same trip cost. However, the 25% credit discount still applies for those who wish to follow the simple steps to top up SafeBoda credit.

So, the new trip increments reflect on your app’s trip fare and are sum up for a joint trip cost at the end of the trip. Hence, expect to see a rise in your usual evening trips mainly around the city center. Now that SafeBoda has joined the league of its competitors in charging slightly higher fees during peak times, must we expect to see waiting times and fines crossing over to the service? It’s 2019 and it’s a new 360days  to watch the hailing industry trends.

Having launched the academy yesterday for new riders, Safeboda unveiled retraining space for existing drivers and support services stretching the firm’s vision of professionalizing driving standards and distribution of safety equipment to enhance transparency in the boda hailing industry.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ricky Rapa, Co-Founder, SafeBoda said, the Academy is part of the company’s revamped sustainable program which is aimed at improving safety standards among new and existing SafeBoda riders. “The SafeBoda Academy will go a long way in enhancing the SafeBoda customer experience, through improved quality services among our riders because they will be equipped with the best riding and customer care skills,” he said, adding that the Academy will also help reduce the number of road accidents in Uganda.

According to a report published in September 2017, by the Ministry of Works and Transport, at least 10 people die every day, as a result of road accidents involving boda boda riders. “Road accidents cost Uganda approximately 2-3% of the total GDP every year, through interventions like this Academy, together with government agencies, we are confident, this trend will be reversed,” Rapa explained.

With increased training space, he added, comes increased opportunities to train more riders and employ more young Ugandan talent. The company, which delivers its services through the SafeBoda mobile application, has enabled over 6,000 boda riders to increase their earnings, gain access to financial services, and improve the lives of their families and millions of passengers to travel safely around Kampala. More so, app customers save alot whenever they rely on the credit feature.

Dr. Steven Kasiima, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, who doubled as the guest of honour, commended SafeBoda for equipping its riders with professional driving standards “SafeBoda riders are an example to other boda boda riders on the street, you always see them stopping at traffic lights and this behavior is slowly rubbing off onto the other riders,” Dr. Kasiima said.

“From humble beginnings in 2015 in a small room in Kyebando, with change on our minds, we started the journey of professionalizing the boda industry, and today, it gives us much pleasure to see just how many more safe trips can be taken by Kampala residents and visitors because we dared to start,” added Rapa

SafeBoda is the forerunner of road safety in the region and has partnered with a number of organizations including Safe Way Right Way, the Red Cross, Global Road Safety Partnership and the of recent NSU (Neurological society of Uganda). Nonetheless, with a nomination to the best apps for Africa awards, Safeboda could be turning out as the best boda hailing firm available in East Africa.

All ride-hailing apps have only 2 payment options inclusive of cash and credit payments. While Taxify Boda and Uber allow you to enter your bank card for credit payments. Safeboda, on the other hand, accepts mobile money which turns the whole process fun. Let’s take a look at these 2 popular available options with Safeboda only supporting Mobile money payments at the moment.

Credit 
Accepted forms: Credit or Debit card (Visa or Mastercard)
Mobile money (Airtel or MTN mobile money)

Cash
Pay cash after the end of a trip

Saving extra cash with Safeboda

Safeboda credit has always been the goldmine keen riders opt for. However, with the competition overhead, we can barely look back to the awesome 100% credit bonus times, but instead lash out for the 50% on all trips.

In the process to save extra cash on your next Boda trip with the Orange helmet plucked on your head. You’ll need to have a fully registered mobile money number to top up some initial savings on your account as SB Credit. In addition, when you land on a magic Wednesday like it was yesterday, you receive a 25% bonus back on your credit purchase to utilize on all trips and save more 25% per trip.

As compared to Taxify Boda and Uber Boda, the 50% discounts on all trips count for affordable trips around Kampala and once you pay with Credit its instead a 75% discount. Assuming your total trip cost is 4,000/=, the app will only charge 3,000/= when you pay with credit. Therefore, It’s that simple except that you suffer the levied 0.5% mobile money tax per transaction made to the app.

A few months ago when Taxify boda managed to shake up the industry with a 50% push, Uber boda replied with a perfect launch in Uganda. However, this triggered the impossible in Safeboda as it also joined the 50% wagon. In the same period, the orange camp grew from only 1500 drivers to the current number of 6,000. Although Safeboda rushed to reply to this stiff competition, riders have enjoyed some good months of the cheapest trip rates offered by the Ugandan based startup.

Safeboda’s 50% promotion and how it ended

The 50% promotion which everyone thought was going to last for long ‘at least for a year or 2’ is no more at Safeboda. Redefining the company’s growth structure and recruiting new brand ambassadors, It’s by no doubt that Safeboda has reaped big from a virgin industry. To a greater extent, Safeboda incurred maximum losses in the competitive 50% promotion But guess what It still exists from a geeky viewpoint.

A week ago, Safeboda introduced a new juicier cut off for credit riders which also flagged off an 8% increase in trip rates that are now incremented with Shs 500. Assuming your normal trip used to cost you UGX 2000, Safeboda would now charge you 2,500 for the same trip. However, riders didn’t welcome this and are now rushing for cheap & quicker options like Dial Jack boda. Nonetheless, the boda hailing industry is still rising and in the near future will dominate the Transport sector with a bigger blow.

Having received a warm limelight in Uganda. Safeboda’s emergence in Kenya is something every rider must be happy to see. While Uber and Taxify boda posses steady interests in the Swahili speaking nation. Safeboda may transform its Ugandan success into a stable opportunity for a steady rule in Kenya.

We all so it coming, we all heard about the Safeboda move to Kenya. However, the Uber for Motorbikes seems to have had an expedited revolution after its Mpesa interaction to the app. Earlier this Week the company made it official and spread its expansion rumors out loud in East Africa with its orange flag flying out high to Nairobi.

The competition Safeboda will battle against in Kenya

Safeboda Kenya is the new kid on the block we must say. But, Taxify boda already spread its wings flying high in the region long before safeboda. Therefore, Safeboda Kenya will have to meet tight competition from its Ugandan 2nd in rule for the boda hailing podium. Kenyan brands like Maramoja tried their luck in the business and failed. But with Safeboda’s move to the country’s capital, It’s by no doubt that broad daylight is up to its way in the region.

Uber boda which by the way leads the 3rd place on the podium in Uganda is rumored to also launch its service in Kenya following Safeboda & Taxify boda within the region. The boda-boda sector for the past years was known for the worst behaviors and strategies on the road. However, with all these Motorbike hailing services with a hand in the sector, traveling on a Motorbike through the region seems to be the greatest order of the day.

Joining Mondo ride which actually dominates a bigger slot with other ride hailing services in Kenya. Safeboda is currently recruiting drivers to spread the orange motorbike message.

Even though its just a matter of time to see Safeboda’s strategic position in East Africa, Its clear base in Uganda gives it a great go ahead since it has been in business for long.

Safeboda Kenya’s recruiting service

Since Uganda and Kenya approximately share the same beliefs and similar providers rule the same yard. Safeboda has expanded its operations in a much conducive environment of a Kiswahili speaking nation.

Although the orange camp has not clarified on its expansion to Kenya. Kenyan based boda riders are celebrating as they achieve a new milestone with Safeboda’s expansion to the country.

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Expecting to take over Nairobi by storm, the company is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to spread to more East African countries making it the single-handedly Boda hailing service with a multi-nation capability. Talking less of the advancements, Welcome Safeboda Kenya