Kenyan, Ugandan and Zambian taxi users can now book rides from their WhatsApp under a new feature initiated by a local ride-hailing firm, Little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Safaricom-backed app has introduced an online chat booking platform which is meant to widen the reservation options for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the platform, a user can hail a Little taxi by sending their location pin to a WhatsApp number. Instantly, vehicles within the rider’s area will be scanned and the details of the vehicle and driver’s contact will be shared through the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll a taxi rider needs to do is save our number 777000777 and share their location through WhatsApp. Once this happens one will automatically be connected to a driver near them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At the end of the trip, a customer will also receive a message telling them how much they need to pay for the trip,\u201d Craftsilicon founder Kamal Budhabhatti was quoted by Business Daily.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This move is seen as a strategy to increase its market share in the saturated market filled with many players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following its launch in 2016, the Craft Silicon taxi-hailing service introduced a USSD code which enabled Little Cab customers to dial *826# from their mobile phone to request for a cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe idea behind Little powered by Safaricom is to provide affordable and convenient cab services to as many Kenyans as possible and I believe we are well on our way to achieving this through the launch of the USSD service,\u201d Mr Budhabhatti said at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, other firms like Uber have continued to market the use of a customer service number through which riders can call to book trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The e-hailing taxi firms are targeting users who cannot access the app but need quick transport alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured Image Courtesy: Quartz Africa..com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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