[sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'

[Craig August Johnson]

Hey all, I also think this discussion is quite interesting, partly because
the ability of motorbike taxis to providing a viable yet profitable
service that is not directly subsidized by the government.

 Especially in Southeast Asian cities, and increasing in African cities
such as Kampala. The motorbike taxis provides the fastest mode of
transportation for a competive price to places which are hard to service
via other forms of transportation.

In Hanoi, the motorbike taxi scheme increasings the viabilty of the 
regulated bus system. The fixed bus routes function as arterial routes
into the central city, while the motorbike taxis function as feeders into
the bus route. The effectiveness of this system can been seen in both the
number of packed buses, as well as the number of motorcycle taxis that
hang out at suburban bus stops.

Unlike the regulated and expensive taxis, the motorbike taxis do not
require extensive infrastructure improvements such as taxi waiting areas,
and as Jonathon noted are not as subject to traffic congestion.

The motorbike taxis are also able to provide door-to-door transportation
service to people who live in highly dense and auto-inaccessible parts of
town.
Thus, Hanoi has been able to provide an efficent, flexible, competitevly
priced, informal transportation network without investing heavily or
relying on foreign investment to widen roads or improve mass transit.


Concerning the discussion that NMT could provide the same service. In
Vietnam, motorbike taxis have effectively replaced the non-motorized
cyclos. Increasingly and ironically, cyclos only provide services to
tourists wanting to get the "authentic Vietnamese experience." In fact one
of the most luxurious hotels in Hanoi, the Sofitel Metropole employs a
fleet of cyclos especially for the rich tourist who stay at the hotel.

Like Paul, I have not seen any research concerning motorbike
transportation, and would like to know if there has been any studies done.

Craig Johnson