Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

UberMOTO launches in Thailand, providing customers with motorcycle rides

Lulu Chang
By

ubermoto bangkok uber hit with 7 million fine in california regulators threaten to suspend service
Image used with permission by copyright holder
If getting in an Uber car doesn’t make you feel safe, perhaps a motorcycle will assuage your fears. At least, that’s what the transportation giant is banking on now that it has launched its first motorcycle service in Bangkok. The new service, known as UberMOTO, has just debuted its pilot program in the Thai capital, and is meant for cities (particularly in emerging markets), where getting around in a four-wheeled vehicle is not very feasible.

UberMOTO will work just like traditional Uber — users will have the ability to hail a motorcycle ride from within the app, and the San Francisco-based startup promises that their motorcycle chauffeurs will have to pass the same background checks as their car drivers (though for some, even that’s not enough). And don’t worry — your physical safety won’t be predicated purely on your driver’s skill. UberMOTO drivers will be required to provide helmets for their riders, too.

Recommended Videos

As of today, these motorcycle rides will start at ฿10 ($0.28), with the additional charge of ฿3.5 a kilometer ($0.10) and ฿0.85 a minute ($0.02). Passengers will be able to pay either with cash or credit card.

Related

“Motorcycles are part of the commuting culture in Thailand,” Douglas Ma, head of Asia Expansion for Uber, said in a statement. He also noted that the new offering would resonate with Thai citizens and allow for “another easy and affordable option for short trips around town while creating tens of thousands of flexible work opportunities for Thais.”

While Uber has previously tried to expand its services beyond traditional cars, history hasn’t been so kind to these endeavors. Last year, Uber tried a rickshaw program in India, but rather unsurprisingly, it didn’t take off. Just eight months after its introduction, it was no more. Hopefully, UberMOTO will meet with more promising results. At least this form of transportation still has a motor.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Lyft, Uber to offer discounted rides to the polls on election day
seattle asks facebook google for election data 64338022 vote democracy referendum graphics concept

In a bid to get the vote out on Tuesday, November 3, both Lyft and Uber are offering discounted rides to polling locations on the big day.

For this year’s presidential election, Lyft is offering 50% off one ride up to $10 to any polling location (or drop box) using the code 2020VOTE. But take note -- a Lyft ride from the voting place will be charged at the full rate.

Read more
‘No mask, no ride’: Uber extends face-covering requirement indefinitely
A driver wearing a face mask.

Uber is doubling down on its mask-wearing rule by extending the requirement indefinitely for rides in the U.S. and Canada.

The rule, which came into force in May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, had been set to stay effective until the end of June. But with infection rates on the rise in numerous states across the U.S., the company now says riders and drivers must wear a face-covering during trips until further notice.

Read more
Uber unveils new delivery services as ride demand tanks
uber unveils new delivery services as ride demand tanks

A month ago Uber was operating 16 million trips a day. But now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, ridership has fallen through the floor as people are encouraged to stay home to help reduce the infection rate.

As a result of the sudden downturn, Uber has been looking at how it can keep its drivers working in ways that also help their communities in these challenging times.

Read more