Tzaneen now has its very own cab app

The app is called PickUp Cab and operates like an Uber.

Users can request a ride and then drivers registered on the app can pick up the client from the location using the app’s GEO location.

Ntebatse Sekgodiso told the Herald that anyone with a clean reliable car can register to become a driver on the app and make extra cash.

He said the idea behind the creation of the app came when he was staying in Flora Park in Tzaneen for two months.

“That’s when I realised the need for a transport solution. I realised that it was really hard for people without cars to get around.

“If you had a maxi driver’s number you could call him to pick you up and take you to your desired destination. But sometimes you’d call the maxi driver and he would say he is not around town. That’s when I realised that an app could really help a lot of people. With the app you don’t need to call the driver. Maxi drivers can register on the app. Commuters can login to PickUp Cab and find drivers that are online and then request a ride,” he said.

Sekgodiso said he pitched the idea to his friend, Senzo Mkhize, who is now his business partner.

“We then started doing research on what we will need to turn this idea into reality. “After extensive research and gathering of resource, we immediately started working on the app,” said Sekgodiso.

He said the app has been well received and people are very supportive of the idea, especially since it is making life easier for them.

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“We currently have more than 90 applications from drivers awaiting approval on our database. We are still verifying the information they submitted in their applications. This is necessary for the safety of our clients.

“We currently have active drivers in Kgapane. This is because I know them personally and they have been driving for years. This made it easier to verify the information they submitted in their applications. Our next step is to expand to all areas of Tzaneen where I first saw a need for this initiative,” he said.

He said that unfortunately he does not know a lot of cab drivers in the Tzaneen area and does not have the capital to start a marketing campaign to reach out to potential drivers to apply to drive on the app.

He said PickUp Cab is also a much safer option while in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We believe that people will be much safer from the virus when travelling in a PickUp Cab where it’s only them in the car and the driver and passengers are wearing masks. In other forms of transport people sometimes do not wear masks.”

He told the Herald that the app is currently only available on Google Play Store, however, they have already started developing an iOS version of the app and soon iPhone users will be able to install the app as well.

When asked what makes their app unique he said the cab fare is cheap and their drivers make good money.

“We only take 10% from our drivers’ fare while our competitors take between 25% and 30%. “Another distinguishing feature is that when requesting a ride, our clients can pick a driver from a list of online drivers.”

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Sekgodiso said they integrated this feature because on may occasions people prefer certain drivers due to past experience.

“So if the driver you prefer is online, you can pick that driver. This makes our customers more comfortable, especially at night,” he said.

Another measure they have taken to ensure safety of their customers is a live tracking system.

They are able to monitor and track all trips via live satellite tracking.

“Should a cab suddenly come to a stop before completing a trip, we will be watching and assist immediately.”

The app was launched late December last year and they are constantly making upgrades and improvements to improve the user experience, he said.

For more information contact Sekgodiso on 083-390-1044