Didi Taxi launched in Oaxaca, Mexico, sidelining Uber

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Contxto – When faced with an obstacle, you can either break through that wall or find a way to work around it. And in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, legal regulation currently prohibits ride-hailing platforms (like Uber) from operating.

In light of this, Didi Chuxing, has found a way to side-step the situation, and even gain the state’s nod of approval in the process. (It’s a miracle!)

The ride-hailing platform from China has partnered up with Oaxaca’s taxi drivers to jointly launch Didi Taxi. The announcement was made this week and as a result, now users can flag down a cab using the orange-colored Didi app.

Didi Taxi in Oaxaca

This isn’t the first time that Didi plays this card in Mexico. Last December, it launched a pilot program in the city of Cuernavaca. And given it yielded positive results, it’s expanded into Oaxaca.

During the official announcement, the state’s Governor, Alejandro Murat Hinojosa, was present. And he lauded the partnership as a key alliance to bring a touch of innovation to public transport.

From my end it feels strange to write that for once authorities are on board with a ride-hailing system.

And in any case, it’s a mid-way solution to offering the perks these ride-hailing platforms boast for users such as tracking, electronic payments, and knowing your driver’s identity.

While it also appeals to the cab unions in the state who wearily eye marketplaces like Uber and Cabify.

There’s always a but

It does have limitations for users, such as the vehicles often being the insecure Tsuru models these taxi drivers typically use. Likewise, sources report that customer service may be slow.

Plus, at the moment, this service is only available in the state’s capital. But perhaps in the future it will expand. Especially to other tourist hot spots such as Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.

That way, if my friends and I were to ever go to those amazing beaches again, it’d be easier to grab a cab.

What say you Homar, Alexes, Yuri, and Angel?

Related articles: Tech and startups from Mexico!

-ML