meter taxi – The past decade has seen witness transport sector revolutionary changes in Ethiopia, where the introduction of meter taxis has transformed the urban area of mobility. Meter taxis entered in the city to supplement the blue-and-white taxis, commonly known as contract taxis, minibus taxis popularly referred to as ‘wuyiyit’ taxis, and ride-sharing options that existed before meter taxis. However, with problems including unfair pricing, poor service quality, and lack of digital integration, there was demand for modern, structured taxi services.
These are fitted with fare meters, GPS tracking, and mobile application booking, bringing transparency, reliability, and convenience to the consumers. The industry has undergone immense growth and competition among various players fighting for dominance from the time it was launched.
1, Early Days: The Introduction of Meter Taxis (2015 – 2017)
A change in 2015 saw the taxi industry in Ethiopia witness regulation in prices. Before this, contract blue-and-white taxis dominated the country, and before any trip, passengers had to haggle prices as inconsistencies ensued where it depended on the appearance of the person, whether there was urgent need, or how good the trip negotiator was.
Moving to Meter-Taxis
It was the need for fair pricing and systematic pricing applications that brought about the introduction of meter taxis around 2015. Along came the early relationship movers such as ZayRide and RIDE- Hybrid Designs PLC, who defined themselves as a substitute for traditional contract taxis using digital meters for distance and time measuring in fare computation.
Key Features Introduced:
Set price on the bases of distance and time (fare negotiations are abolished).
Convenience through mobile app booking.
Improved quality of vehicles (most vehicles are not as old as the blue-and-white taxis).
Always available; so not often left waiting for a random street hail.
Challenges Faced
High initial fares discouraged some customers from switching.
Low smartphone penetration limited the number of digital bookings.
Resistance from traditional taxi drivers, who viewed meter taxis as competition.
2,Expansion and Digitalization (2018 – 2020)
As more companies continue to enter the meter taxi business, including Feres, Catch, and Seregela, competition helps to keep service standards high and fares competitive.
Major Changes This Stage
📱 More ride-hailing apps were launched (Feres, Catch, etc., are in the race).
💰 Fares were reduced on promotional grounds to attract more users.
🚖 Drivers from the traditional taxi sector began switching to meter taxi platforms to earn more.
Why Meter Taxis Were the User’s Choice Over Contract Taxis
✅ Pricing transparency: No more overcharging or bargaining on the fare.
✅ Convenience: No need to physically search for taxis, just book via the app.
✅ Increased safety: GPS tracking and verified drivers.
3, COVID-19 Impact and Growth (2020 – 2022)
As companies shut for extended periods and movement restrictions were imposed, taxi demand went down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet at the same time, it hastened the acceptance of digital payments and hygiene practices.
Highlights
😷 COVID-19 protocols (sanitizing, face masks, and limiting passengers per ride).
💳 Integration of Telebirr and CBE Birr: Enhanced digital payment uptake by the public.
🚖 Delivery service expansion: Some metered taxi operations started offering package delivery services.
4, Present and Future Trends (2023 – Now)
These days, meter taxis have become an important means of transport in Ethiopian cities, especially Addis Ababa. Drivers continue to flock to these platforms because of better earnings and flexible working hours.
Current Industry Trends
📱 Improved ride-hailing apps: Faster booking, better navigation, and real-time fare estimation.
⚡ Electric Vehicle (EV) Movement: To reduce fuel dependence.
🌍 Going Beyond Addis: More services in cities such as Adama and Hawassa.
💳 More mobile payment options: Telebirr, CBE Birr, and other fintech integrations.
Popular Meter Taxi Services in Ethiopia & Their Hotline Numbers
Several meter taxi companies operate in Ethiopia today. Here are the top players along with their contact details:
| RIDE (Hybrid Designs PLC) | 8294 | The largest taxi-hailing service in Ethiopia. Offers app booking and corporate ride services. |
| Feres App | 6090 | Provides taxis and Bajaj rides. Allows passengers and drivers to negotiate fares within a set range. |
| Adika taxi | 7000 | Adika Taxi is a pioneer in the tour and travel industry and has been expanding its presence to meet the growing demand for modern and reliable taxi services. |
| Yango | 8610 | New and growing app-based taxi service, expanding across Addis Ababa. |
| ZayRide | 6303 | on-demand taxi service connects riders and taxi drivers quickly and conveniently through an innovative mobile app that can be downloaded on iOS and Android smartphones. |
Challenges and Future Prospects meter taxi
While meter taxis have improved Ethiopia’s transport sector, challenges remain:
1. High Fuel Prices 🚘💰
- Rising fuel costs affect meter taxi fares, making them less affordable for daily commuters.
- Potential Solution: More companies may introduce electric taxis to cut fuel costs.
2. Limited Expansion Outside Addis Ababa 📍
- These are mainly concentrated in Addis Ababa.
- Potential Solution: More investment is needed to expand services to regional cities.
3. Competition from Traditional Taxis 🚖
- Some passengers still prefer contract taxis, especially for short trips.
- Potential Solution: Companies could offer cheaper short-distance rides to attract more users.
Final Thoughts – meter taxi
It have brought a positive transformation to Ethiopia’s transport system by introducing fair pricing, digital convenience, and improved safety. With growing competition, service providers are continuously enhancing their features to attract more customers.
🚀 What to Expect in the Future?
✔ More electric taxis to combat high fuel costs.
✔ Expansion of ride-hailing services beyond Addis Ababa.
✔ Better integration with digital payments for a cashless experience.
💬 Which meter taxi service have you used, and how was your experience? Share your thoughts! 🚖
mly informative and well-written!”