Netizen’s Letter: Alternative Transport Providers in Motorbikes

You may be familiar with Go-Jek, a ride-hailing and online payment company from Indonesia. Recently, the company has announced plans to expand its business to Singapore, where it will then compete with local start-up Grab.

(Image taken from TechCrunch)

What’s unique about Go-Jek, however, is that instead of using cars as other ride-hailing firms typically do, the company uses motorcycles as their main means of transport. This is largely due Indonesia’s unique road conditions, where the number of motorcyclists far out number the number of motorists in the country.

Over here in Singapore, though, motorcycles are not allowed to be used for point-to-point transport services, as reported by local digital news provider TODAYonline. Having said that, a reader of TODAY has submitted a letter citing practical reasons in allowing motorbike-hailing, as it would fit right in with the government’s ‘car-lite’ objective.

The letter’s contents are as follows:

“I refer to the report, “In aggressive expansion, Go-Jek to enter Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippine markets” (May 24).

I understand that it is against regulations to provide point-to-point transport services using motorcycles, and I would like to know the reasoning and rationale behind this policy since it was not explained before.

Motorcycles do not account for a large segment of the vehicular population and do not contribute greatly to traffic congestion. Would it not be practical to allow motorbike-hailing, in service of the Government’s “car-lite” objective?

As for safety concerns, there may be criteria put in place to address them. For example, only riders who hold a Class 2A licence (Class 2B being the basic motorcycle licence) and who has a minimum of three years of riding experience with no major traffic violations may be permitted to work as transport service providers.

There may also be a requirement for the riders to attend defensive riding courses to further improve safety measures.”

The writer of the letter has some reason, though. A study conducted by Belgian consultancy Transport and Mobility reported that if just 10% of automobiles were replaced by two-wheelers, congestion could drop by a substantial 40%. While a 25% shift from cars to bikes can even eliminate congestion entirely.

See, so more motorbikes on the road can be a good thing.

What do you think? Will Go-Jek’s expansion to Singapore be successful, and will transport services in the form of motorcycles gain traction on our little red dot?

To read more about Go-Jek, check out our past article on it here:

Indonesia’s Go-Jek Competes with Uber and Grab, Looks to Expand in the Philippines