Enab Baladi – Christina al-Shammas
Syrian citizens face difficulties in securing transportation coinciding with the end of government employees’ work in the afternoon.
Despite the availability of public transportation and overall improvement in the minibus service in Damascus and its countryside after the Assad regime’s fall, citizens still scramble for a vacant seat in public transport.
Some citizens find themselves searching for safe transportation options that suit their income levels, amidst the declining regulation of public taxis and their rising fares, which has been addressed in recent years by emerging companies offering ride-hailing services through mobile apps.
Reliance on these applications has notably increased in Damascus and its countryside, as citizens have found in these means a middle ground between high transportation costs and the unorganized experience they face with public taxis.
What are these companies?
Emerging companies specialize in providing transportation services to customers via smart applications, utilizing GPS systems to connect drivers with nearby passengers. Once the app is downloaded, users can specify their pickup and drop-off locations, select the type of car, and even know the driver’s name and trip cost before the ride begins.
These companies operate by contracting drivers who own their vehicles and need additional work. According to Enab Baladi‘s observations, each company sets specific criteria for the cars to be accepted into their operational system.
Regarding fare pricing between areas, it is determined according to a dynamic pricing system that considers the distance traveled, estimated time, and peak hours.
The initial fare for the ride is determined before the passenger approves it, ensuring a minimum and maximum price limit that guarantees fairness for both parties.
Payments are often made in cash, given the limited electronic payment systems in Syria, but some companies are working to develop online gateways and digital wallet payment services when the appropriate legal and technical environment is available.
The number of companies offering delivery services is close to ten applications, varying in their service areas across provinces.
Increasing demand
Many citizens now prefer to rely on ride-hailing apps instead of public taxis.
Mahmoud al-Sayyed, an employee at a private clothing company living in Barzeh, Damascus, told Enab Baladi that the overcrowding in public transportation during his morning commute led him to try these apps.
“I know when the car will arrive, who the driver is, and I don’t have to engage in a dispute over the fare, which is mentally relieving and saves me time,” said al-Sayyed.
Hussam Abdo, an employee at a government agency in Damascus living in al-Dweila area, pointed out that economic factors prompted him to use ride-hailing apps for private taxis.
The fare for the public taxi that takes him between his residence and al-Mazzeh was 55,000 Syrian pounds, while through the app, the fare is about 42,000. He added, “The app provides me with a clear and upfront fare, relieving me from constant haggling with public taxi drivers.”
Safety factor
Ibtisam al-Halabi, an employee at a private company in Damascus, shared her experience that led her to shift towards smart transportation applications.
She recounted an incident where she took a taxi from the street, but the driver changed the route under the pretext of traffic congestion, making her feel uncomfortable and fearful, which prompted her to avoid using random taxis again and instead order a vehicle via an app.
Tala Awad, a university student living in a dormitory in al-Mazzeh, mentioned that she relies on taxi-hailing apps almost daily for her commutes between the dorms and her workplace in Abu Rummaneh.
She noted that one of the main reasons is her sense of safety, as these apps allow her to know the driver’s name and vehicle specifications and to track the journey. She added that she started using the apps after hearing about harassment incidents and the disappearance of some girls after taking street taxis, which provides her with greater reassurance.
New job opportunities
These companies represent a new job opportunity for drivers amid the declining economic activity and the difficulty of securing a stable income.
Ali Younes, a driver who works with several taxi companies in Damascus using his private car, explained to Enab Baladi his work process.
Communication with these companies occurs remotely and does not require mandatory working hours, although they do not provide drivers with fuel needs; their role is limited to acting as intermediaries between the customer and driver through the app, according to Younes.
The companies take a specific percentage from each trip the driver undertakes, ranging between 12-15%, while some companies ask for a 20% fee, Younes noted.
The companies that manage these applications require specific criteria for accepting drivers, concerning vehicle safety and newness, service quality, and checking drivers’ professional conduct and adherence to politeness and respect standards.
Nabil Khoury, a retired man in his sixties working with the Wassilni App, sees this experience as a new opportunity for work that has provided him with a steady income, as his pension, which reaches 280,000 Syrian pounds at best, is insufficient for three days in the month, according to him.
Khoury can control his working hours and take organized rides by knowing the customer’s destination before accepting the request through the app.
Local experience
The Zakinn company stands out as one of the taxi-hailing applications. Mohammad Naeem, a founding member of the app, told Enab Baladi that the primary goal is to facilitate and organize daily mobility for citizens through a trustworthy, safe experience at reasonable prices.
Regarding cooperation with drivers, Naeem clarified that the registration process includes checking legal documents, inspecting the vehicle to ensure safety and cleanliness, along with an initial evaluation of the driver before activating them on the platform.
In case a driver is late in carrying out a trip or receives repeated complaints, gradual measures are taken, starting with a warning and potentially leading to account suspension.
He added, “We have a dedicated support team that directly deals with complaints, allowing communication with both parties, verifying the trip record, and then taking appropriate action, whether a warning or compensating the passenger.”
Naeem pointed out that the company aims to develop its services by expanding its operational reach across provinces, in addition to plans to introduce digital payment methods and services tailored for companies and institutions.
Ride-hailing apps in Syria: Safer and cheaper Enab Baladi.
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