Top ride hailing services making transportation easier, cheaper.

• Author: Nisar, Ahsan

Byline: Ahsan Nisar

When thinking of ride-hailing or taxi apps, the first thing that probably comes to one's mind is Careem or Uber. However, things have changed a lot on the transportation landscape since 2015 and thee some more and fast moving companies that have moved in to solve the transportation issues of Pakistan:

Siayara Siayara is a new online taxi service that will cater to people looking for inexpensive transport in Karachi. Initially, they have started with 2,000 cars divided into four categories - eco-mini, eco-, eco-plus, and eco-business with reasonable fares and 24 hours service. The company aims to introduce a motorcycle service as well.

Buraq

Eyeing on the potential transport market, Timesaco, a Chinese company is all set to launch its online taxi service in six big cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar and it would be extended to other urban centers.

The company has an open-door policy as people could register their cars, bike, rickshaws, pickups, Qingqi loaders, and trucks with the company and get multiple ways for earning. Buraq drivers will get 97% share of their earning and company will get only 2% from drivers while one percent would be invested in Drivers' Club for providing health and education services to families of drivers.

The company has initially invested $20 million with future prospects of $600 million. They intend to provide a rapid service platform to citizens by launching five special service including the Buraq Taxi Service, Heavy Cargo Delivery, Orders' Delivery, Moving Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and vehicle advertisement facilities.

Swvl

Swvl, a Cairo-based firm, which is due to move its headquarters to Dubai in November, launched in Nairobi about six months ago and began operations in Lahore in July.

Pakistan is the second international market for Swvl. It has been successfully launched in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi and has recently launched in Karachi.

Swvl is an app-based bus hailing service, which is a private premium alternative to public transport. The Swvl app, which has fixed bus routes, uses the passenger's location and destination to determine the shortest possible trip time based on the nearest bus stop. They make the commute comfortable in air-conditioned top-notch buses with spacious seats for just Rs 20!

Airlift

With fixed routes, timings and prices, Airlift is a daily commute ride app that lets users hail and track high...