A Group of IPB’ Researchers: Is App-based Motorcycle Taxi Safe to Ride?
What is a Go-Jek or other ojek online? An Ojek, or a motorbike taxi, is a motorcyclist that offers rides to wherever you want to go. This Online-based two-wheeled motor vehicle or motorcycle taxi drivers that of course already widely known by the public. All over the world, there have been protests against companies that use technology to disrupt traditional transportation. On-demand ride service such as Uber, Go-jek, or Grab have been the most prominent target. Ojek is a quite popular mode of transport in Indonesia. Its existence becomes an oasis for the people in the middle of congestion which is often a scourge for the people who live in big cities of Indonesia, not to mention Jakarta and its buffer cities like Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.
There are many online motorcycle taxi brands in Indonesia. However, according to a survey conducted by the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (2017), the highest rating of online ojeks are as follows: 1). Gojek (72.6%); 2). Grab (66.9%); and 3).Uber (51%).
Similarly, submitted in research conducted by students of Graduate Studies Prograam for Business School, of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), namely Hasdevi A. and Drajat, in cooperation with Lilik Noor Yulianti and Megawati Simanjuntak, lecturers of Family and Consumer Science, of the Faculty of Human Ecology of Bogor Agricultural University (FEMA IPB).
Megawati stated that their research was conducted based on the interesting phenomenon of online motorcycle taxi. "Acceptance of ojek online in the community still raises the pros and cons. By and large, Users welcomed app-based motorcycle taxi services, since they make an informal but necessary mode of transportation more trustworthy. Through the app, users can order motorcycle taxis instead of picking one off the street. Drivers are rated after the experience. They register with Go-Jek, undergo a basic vetting process, and offer passengers clean helmets and face masks. But in the past month, the heated conflict between motorcycle taxi booking apps like Go-Jek and GrabBike and traditional motorcycle taxi drivers has been far more prominent," she said.
Megawati further explained, that their research program utilized survey to collect data among 200 respondents in North Bogor District. The study revealed that the majority of users of motorcycle taxis online are women, most of them are students of 15-24 years old. Although this group is the largest online motorcycle taxi services users, but tendencies the group were not loyal to any particular brand. More than half of online motorcycle taxi users at that age have all three online motorcycle taxi brands.
"They tend to compare the three online motorcycle taxi brands before deciding to use one of them for reasons of price and promotion. Another interesting fact, the majority of respondents were owners of cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Ownership of this vehicle apparently did not dampen the intention of respondents to use online motorcycle taxi services because it is the most practical and inexpensive way to get around but involve more hassle and time, "said Megawati.
By and large, Indonesian welcomed app-based motorcycle taxi services, since they make an informal but necessary mode of transportation more trustworthy. The company has been able to provide excellent facilities on app-based motorcycle taxi services. However, like two sides of the coin, the use of app-based motorcycle taxi services not only beneficial, but these services also met with resistance from some ojek drivers. "A question begins, is there any guarantee of protection for using an online motorcycle taxi?" Megawati asked.
For the majority of Indonesians, driving or being a passenger in a motor vehicle is the most dangerous daily activity he or she will be undertaken. However, so far there no actual data on motor vehicle accidents using motorcycle taxis online, but if generalized, the number of motor vehicle accidents is still very high. Jasa Raharja is the official institution for the protection of consumer safety guarantee. A person who is a victim of public transportation accidents Jasa Raharja will cover the expenses due to the accidents. However, only the transportations recognized by Jasa Raharja will be covered, they must be public transportation / vehicles with official permission by the Ministry of Transportation / local Transportation Department. While the online motorcycle taxis still do not have permission from the Ministry of Transport / Transport Department local.
However, Megawati said, this does not mean that consumers can’t use an online motorcycle taxi service, but consumers should be able to protect themselves when using an online motorcycle taxi service. "Make sure that safety should be the first in deciding to use an online motorcycle taxi service. Hopefully in the future all parties will agree to provide the best solution on motorcycle taxis online," she concluded. (Wied)
