Taxify takes on Uber with own premium rides

Estonian-based online taxi-hailing application Taxify has taken on its key American rival Uber with a new premium cab category that promises customers more comfortable rides.

The e-hailing firm’s new ride category dubbed Taxify Comfort will see customers pay a minimum fare of Sh250 compared to the ordinary minimum charges of Sh220.

Uber’s premium category launched two weeks ago, UberSELECT, charges a minimum Sh300 per trip.

“You will now have exclusive access to the most experienced and highest rated drivers as well as newer, better car models at the tap of a button,” said Taxify operations manager Anoke Chisom.

The firm, however, did not specify a driver’s rating, car models or year of manufacture that will be used to qualify a Taxify Comfort ride.

While announcing its UberSELECT service, Uber specified the driver rating and car brands that will be admitted to the category.

For UberSELECT, only experienced drivers who have completed more than 300 trips, with a rating of 4.7 or above and who have the eligible vehicles will receive trip requests on the service.

Some of the 20 qualified UberSELECT vehicle models include Toyota Axio (2010), Fielder (2010), Prius (2009), and Honda Airwave (2009).

“We continue to give you the best service by ensuring that our application is always active and does not crash even when the number of requests increases rapidly,” said Mr Chisom.

He added that drivers would be incentivised through a pricing matrix to go online and offer services whenever demand is high.

“These actions will guarantee that you always get a ride when you need it.”