7 Facts you need to know about Egypt's ride-hailing app project

Egypt is planning to launch a state-owned ride-hailing app, aiming to address safety concerns and improve transportation services across the country. Here are seven key facts about this ambitious project:

The Ministry of Transportation is spearheading the development of the app, collaborating with a major investment company through the Arab Union Super Jet Company. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to enhancing public safety and transportation efficiency.

The primary motivation behind the app is to improve passenger safety. In light of increasing incidents of kidnappings and assaults involving ride-hailing services like Uber, the new app will incorporate stringent security measures. These may include surveillance cameras inside and outside the vehicles and GPS tracking to monitor the speed and location of each ride.

Prospective drivers for the new app will undergo a rigorous hiring process. This thorough vetting aims to ensure that only qualified and trustworthy individuals are behind the wheel, thereby enhancing passenger security and service quality.

All vehicles in the fleet will be connected to a central control room managed by the new company. This real-time monitoring system will help in promptly addressing any issues that arise during rides and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

The initial rollout of the app will be limited to Greater Cairo. This phased approach allows the Ministry of Transportation to test and refine the app's features and operations before expanding it to other parts of Egypt.

This is not the first attempt to establish a locally-owned ride-hailing service in Egypt. In 2019, Dubci Smart Transport was launched but failed to gain traction in the market. Learning from Dubci's challenges, the new app aims to offer more robust and reliable services to compete with international players like Uber and Careem.

The development of the app is aligned with recent legal actions and regulatory frameworks. The Administrative Court is currently considering a lawsuit to revoke the licenses of Uber and Careem due to their non-compliance with surveillance regulations. This lawsuit highlights the importance of adhering to local laws designed to protect passengers.

Egypt's planned state-owned ride-hailing app represents a significant step towards improving public safety and transportation efficiency. With its focus on rigorous driver vetting, centralized monitoring, and enhanced security measures, the app aims to provide a safer and more reliable alternative to existing ride-hailing services. As the project moves forward, it will be essential to monitor its development and impact on the local transportation landscape.