Uber suspends uberMOTO Bangkok pilot
Uber has put its uberMOTO motorbike ride sharing pilot programme in Bangkok on hold. In a statement posted on its blog today (18 May) Uber said: “We have decided to temporarily suspend our Bangkok pilot, starting at noon while we work on creating modern regulations for app-based motorbike services with the Government.”
The Uber statement was reasonably upbeat, however, and also suggested that once had ironed out regulatory issues with the government it would build on the pilot to launch parcel and food delivery operations.
“We are pleased that the Thai Government is open to discussing new rules that would enable services like uberMOTO for passengers to operate,” said Uber. “And we’re grateful for their support when it comes to using motorbikes as couriers and to deliver food. This means we will be able to launch delivery services like uberRUSH and uberEATS as soon as possible.”
Uber launched its ride-sharing app in Thailand two years ago, and it started its uberMOTO pilot in Bangkok in February this year.
An article published in the Bangkok Post earlier this week said that Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) deputy chief Nanthapong Cherdchoo issued an order to both Uber and its competitor GrabBike telling them to stop operating their bike services because they were violating public transport regulations.
TechInAsia said today that it had received a statement from GrabBike saying that its service in Bangkok was still available while the company reviewed the situation.
