Advertisement

Go-Jek launches new feature to book Blue Bird taxi, aims to strengthen coalition between industry players

Go-Jek CEO & Co-Founder Nadiem Makarim

The launch of the new feature is dubbed as the “new milestone” in Go-Jek and Blue Bird partnership, which was first launched last year

Go-Jek CEO and Co-Founder Nadiem Makarim speaking at the launch event

Indonesian ride-hailing startup Go-Jek and taxi company Blue Bird today launched Go-BlueBird, a special feature to book Blue Bird taxis via the Go-Jek app.

Previously, users are already able to book Blue Bird taxis through Go-Jek’s car hailing service Go-Car.

Go-Jek Founder & CEO Nadiem Makarim told the media in a press conference today that he had personally interviewed the Blue Bird taxi drivers who are joining the platform.

“Ever since joining in the Go-Car service, the drivers told me that they are now more confident to go out as they are able to meet their daily targets,” he said.

Under the Go-BlueBird feature, users will be able to pay for taxi fare using the Go-Jek’s cashless payment service Go-Pay. However, while Blue Bird taxis booked via the Go-Car service will be using Go-Jek’s fare system, taxis booked via the Go-BlueBird feature will be using the conventional taxi meter system.

The new service will be available in five Indonesian cities: Greater Jakarta Area, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, and Semarang.

Also Read: Former Go-Jek VP launches BINAR tech academy in Jogjakarta, plans 3 branches in 2017

Collaboration matters

The new product is launched as Go-Jek, with other ride-hailing startups Grab and Uber, battles an upcoming revision of the land transportation regulation. The deadline for the implementation of the new regulation will fall on April 1.

Prior to announcing their partnership in May 2016, Go-Jek and Blue Bird are being perceived as competitors particularly when taxi drivers across Jakarta marched to protest against the existence of ride-hailing startups.

Makarim stated that the partnership is a “new milestone” for the ride-hailing company.

“We no longer see ourselves as an [industry] player; we now see ourselves as an enabler,” he said.

“This is a symbol of Go-Jek’s support for a healthy competition. We do more than just competing, we are also embracing,” he stressed.

According to Blue Bird Group Director Andrianto Djokosoetono, ever since Blue Bird listed its fleet in the Go-Car service, the company has experienced increased revenue on “daily basis” though he did not disclose any number.

“We certainly expect it to continue increasing,” he said.

When asked if Go-Jek is going to open up collaboration with other taxi companies, Makarim stated that the company will now focus on working with Blue Bird.

The post Go-Jek launches new feature to book Blue Bird taxi, aims to strengthen coalition between industry players appeared first on e27.