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Many residents of Kaduna State are parking their cars and using the new transportation app known as Opay for their daily fares, Daily Trust on Sunday has learnt.
The low rates of the transport system are thrilling residents, many of who have interesting experiences, including prompt responses at destinations, fast services, as well as polite and safety conscious drivers.
When our correspondents visited the Opay registration centre, located in Ovation Hotel, Barnawa area of the state, a large number of tricycle operators was seen trying to register as agents.
While sharing his experience, Alex Uangbaoje, who has used Opay severally, said he had been enjoying the service. He noted that for security reasons, there are some roads the app does not allow tricycles to ply; instead they will take another road, which may be farther, thereby increasing the fare.
“There was a time my car was undergoing some repairs and I needed another means of transportation. Fortunately, Opay had started operating, so I used their services. And I must say it paid off by 80 per cent.
“The only shortfall in the process is that when a passenger is not on a road recognised by Google map, the tricycle rider gets confused on how to locate the passenger and you end up waiting for a longer period,” he said.
He called on managers of the app to ensure proper marking of the roads to ease the difficulty experienced while waiting. He advised potential users to board the tricycle on popular roads.
Explaining how the app works, an application installer with Opay, Abdullahi Sanusi, said an interested tricycle rider would bring his vehicle to enable the company take the plate and chassis numbers for proper documentation. He also said the rider’s passport photograph would be taken.
“After the first phase of the registration for the driver, a member of staff of the company is dispatched to his residence for confirmation. His guarantor will be called to check his address.
“When the driver’s residence is confirmed, his name is presented to the team leader, who would place the name on the company’s dashboard. The next day, the successful drivers will be called for training. During the training, they will be taught how to respond to orders using the Opay app.
“After the training, they are subjected to a test to know if they learnt what they were taught. If a driver passed the test he would proceed to the inventory stage, where he will be given a smartphone. The driver will present his SIM, which will be linked to the phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI),’’ he explained.
He said the company took the pains to ensure that drivers go through rigorous screening in order to monitor their activities, adding, “The Opay application will be installed on the phone and he will be placed under a manager, to whom he reports in case any problem arises while doing the job.
“The phones given to the drivers are paid for through deductions. N300 is deducted from the driver’s account for 180 days, making a total of N54,000.”
He said that to motivate the drivers, every day, 10 drivers that make the highest trips are
I get to know who is going to be my passenger through a call, and with that I know I will not be cheated. And since the passenger is registered with the company, I feel safe
rewarded with N5, 000 to N10,000 each.
A tricycle operator, Sani Musan, said he decided to register with the company because it is easy to get passengers rather than roam the streets.
According to him, “There is no pressure on me, unlike when I used to do my normal keke riding business. And I get more passengers. Also, at the end of the day, I am not tired and have no body pain.
“There is a huge difference in the way I worked before and the way I work now. I get to know who is going to be my passenger through a call, and with that I know I will not be cheated. And since the passenger is registered with the company, I feel safe.”
He noted that every driver is monitored, adding that erring drivers are cautioned by deducting certain points on their files, saying, “Once a driver has accrued 100 points, he will not be recommended for passengers.”
Another registered tricycle operator with Opay, Abdulrahman Mukailu, said “Before now, I used to have problems with passengers on how much to pay for fares; such negotiation is no more. Also, the issue of not having change to give a passenger is no more.
“Also, the problem of roaming the streets to get passengers since we have no fixed bus stops is a thing of the past. Now, all I do is to wait in a place to get an order. When I started riding the tricycle, I needed to work to get money for fuel and other expenses, but now, I make more money with Opay than when I worked alone.”
Highlighting the challenges of the system, he said, “Sometimes, when I go to pick a passenger who does not have money in his wallet, he or she will not tell you before hand. It is after the trip is completed that the passenger will reveal that he does not have money in his wallet.
“Also, some passengers will call you, but when you get to where they are supposed to be, you will not see them, thus wasting your time, fuel and energy. However, management has given us the opportunity to leave if a passenger does not show up after five to 10 minutes,” he said.