Tech: Matattu: The new e-hailing platform bring activities tricycle online

This platform adds Maruwa (tricycle) to the class of vehicle with online presence.

A new app has been launched in Lagos which is an e-hailing platform but this time for tricycles.

In a city like Lagos tricycles are much easier to board and alight from while also giving an exciting and breezy experience.

Tricycles have also been found to be very affordable because it consumes less fuel than actual cars which is why Nigerian Harvard graduate Samuel Ajiboye has come up with a e-hailing app just for this purpose.

What is Matattu?

Matattu is an app launched to join other e-hailing platforms such as Uber and Taxify in providing on-demand transportation network for hailing transportation services online through the app which can be downloaded through the Google play store.

When a ride is hailed as, unlike in the cases of Taxify or Uber, a tricycle which is popularly called a 'keke napep' turns up at the requested location.

Earlier this year saw the launch of MAX Go which is an e-hailing platform which provides transportation using motorcycles and also delivery services via their motorcycles.

Also Read: Meet the man who wants you to request for a tricycle ride with a mobile app

All you need to know about Matattu

The company has its own fleet of tricycles but it allows for 3rd-party tricycle owners to come on board by either signing up as drivers on the platform or giving out tricycles to available drivers and getting cash returns.

While Matattu's partnership with Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) has afforded them additional 10,000 standard tricycles but they need more investors to hit their goal of having 20,000 tricycles on-board before the year runs out.

Their involvement with FleetPartners, a vehicle leasing and fleet management company, is to ensure that management and maintenance of the fleet, as well as investments especially for investors who might feel overwhelmed with estimating their own potential Returns on Investment (ROIs) wouldn’t pose a challenge.

Also, all investors are guaranteed returns on their investment while Matattu charges 20% on every transaction while giving drivers the opportunity to double their usual daily earnings.

Also Read: Enter the world of female 'Keke Marwa' riders in Lagos

Challenges facing Matattu

In Lagos some routes have restricted access for tricycles which casts doubts about their operational model. It is yet unknown as to whether or not a rider will be alerted to these routes that are unrestricted.

There are also speculations that the Lagos State government might be considering taking them off the road like in the case of motorcycles recently.

Ajiboye,  who doubles as the Chairman of the association and founder of Matattu, explained this would not be a concern.

"If the government shuts down Kekes, we look at alternatives and how we can restructure the system. However, when you have a structured system such as this, it might encourage the government to change their mind. One of the reasons the government moves for such is that a lot of persons use these Kekes for criminal activities. And worse still, there is no database to track these perpetrators. However, we are always ready to change and abide by government’s laws," he said.

from pulse.ng - Nigeria's entertainment & lifestyle platform online