2013 Volume 10 Pages 13-28
Motorcycle taxis have been emerging in developing countries, especially developing Asian countries, as an informal public transport service. It could provide a fast, flexible, and cheap transport service to the general public. At the same time, it may also be main sources of income for the urban poor. Unfortunately, wider socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the service have never been understood fully. Regulations on the service have been lacking as well. This study aims to understand the main characteristics of the service, explore its broader impacts, and identify its possible roles in the future urban transport system. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in Hochiminh City, Vietnam in 2012 that covered 400 users, 100 operators or drivers, and 20 stakeholders. Based on the results, the study suggests necessary changes in the service business model and regulatory measures to improve the image and the quality of the service.
