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COVID-19: Are Rwanda’s taxi motorbikes equipped for return?
Last night the Rwandan Prime Minister's office announced that the previously slated date of reopening of passenger motorbikes - which was meant to be today - has been extended until further notice. As the country gears up to reallow taxi-motorbikes to start operating again after over 2 months of being out of service due to Covid-19 measures; tech and mobility company, Pascal Technology has been hard at work equipping them to meet new regulatory measures. CNBC Africa spoke to Pascal Ndizeye, CEO and Founder, Pascal Technology to gauge their progress.
Mon, 01 Jun 2020 14:57:30 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- The extension of the deadline for the operation of taxi motorbikes in Kigali has provided Pascal Technology with more time to train drivers and ensure they are adept at using the newly installed devices efficiently.
- Pascal Technology has partnered with Ultron Africa to support the infrastructure required for equipping over 9,000 drivers and expanding their platform.
- The company has invested around $3 million in equipment and platform development, with confidence in breaking even with the current investments made.
As Rwanda gears up to allow taxi motorbikes to start operating again after over two months of being out of service due to COVID-19 measures, tech and mobility company Pascal Technology has been working diligently to equip them to meet new regulatory measures. The country had initially set a date for the reopening of passenger motorbikes, but this has been extended until further notice according to a recent announcement from the Prime Minister's office. Pascal Ndizeye, the CEO and Founder of Pascal Technology, shared in an interview with CNBC Africa that the company has made significant progress in installing equipment on the motorbikes. The company has installed over 8,000 devices and is nearing 9,000 installations. With around 12,000 registered taxi motorbikes, Pascal Technology is working to equip the remaining vehicles. Additionally, the platform continues to receive more registrations from drivers interested in joining, with over 1,000 new registrations. The extension of the deadline for the operation of taxi motorbikes in Kigali has provided Pascal Technology with more time to train drivers and ensure they are adept at using the newly installed devices efficiently. This additional time has been beneficial for both the company and the drivers, allowing for a smoother transition once operations resume. Despite the challenges posed by the lockdown and border closures, Pascal Technology has been proactive in its efforts to equip the taxi motorbikes with the necessary technology. The company has focused on ensuring cashless payment options, such as mobile money and credit cards, are available on their platform, in line with government guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 through cash transactions. Passengers now have the option to download the Pascal de Moto user application and top up their accounts using mobile money, making the process convenient and contactless. Safety precautions have also been put in place for when taxi motorbikes are allowed to operate again. Passengers will be required to wear masks, sanitize their hands, and bring their own sanitizers to further protect themselves and the drivers. Pascal Technology's partnership with a South African company, Ultron Africa, has been instrumental in supporting the infrastructure needed for equipping the taxi motorbikes. This partnership has enabled Pascal Technology to equip over 9,000 drivers and expand their platform, with the assistance of funds injected into the company. The CEO revealed that nearly 200 new employees have been hired to work on the platform, with more expected to join in the future. In terms of investment, Pascal Technology has already allocated around $2 million for equipment and an additional $1 million for platform development. The CEO expressed confidence in the company's ability to break even with the current investments made. Despite delays in equipment delivery due to the lockdown, Pascal Technology has managed to source necessary supplies locally and from abroad. The company remains committed to equipping all taxi motorbikes with the required technology for a safe return to operation.
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