IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jotrge/v69y2018icp242-256.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Motorcycle-taxis in sub-Saharan Africa: Current knowledge, implications for the debate on “informal” transport and research needs

Author

Listed:
  • Ehebrecht, Daniel
  • Heinrichs, Dirk
  • Lenz, Barbara

Abstract

In the countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) population growth, urbanisation, and social change have resulted in rising and diversifying mobility needs of urban and rural populations alike. Moreover, this has stimulated the emergence of new modes of transport, for example the motorcycle-taxi (“moto-taxi”). While moto-taxis have been used for decades in some areas, they have seen massive growth in the past couple of years and they have expanded to other rural and urban areas in SSA. This has come with a number of benefits as regards securing public mobility and socio-economic effects. On the other hand, the growth of these often “informally” provided services has resulted in negative externalities, especially road safety issues. And this has fuelled public discussions on how to control and regulate these services. Within academia their growing importance has resulted in a significant number of empirical studies – including a large share of final theses/assignments – in the past five to ten years. These studies deliver valuable insights into different aspects of this transport mode. However, only few comprehensive overviews of moto-taxis and their service characteristics exist. This article aims to present a comprehensive summary of the role played by moto-taxi services in providing public transport options in SSA. Based on an extensive literature review it categorises and summarises insights into this transport mode that are covered by the reviewed studies. The topics include underlying factors of motorcycle-taxi growth, supply side and demand side aspects, service organisation, regulation, as well as safety, health and environmental impacts. As far as available insights allow, regional, as well as urban and rural service patterns are traced. On that basis, the article discusses implications for the debate on informal transport and identifies knowledge gaps that should be addressed by future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Ehebrecht, Daniel & Heinrichs, Dirk & Lenz, Barbara, 2018. "Motorcycle-taxis in sub-Saharan Africa: Current knowledge, implications for the debate on “informal” transport and research needs," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 242-256.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:69:y:2018:i:c:p:242-256
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.05.006
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692317303344
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.05.006?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Olawale Ismail, 2016. "What is in a Job? The Social Context of Youth Employment Issues in Africa," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 25(suppl_1), pages 37-60.
    2. William Kisaalita & Josephat Sentongo-Kibalama, 2007. "Delivery of urban transport in developing countries: the case for the motorcycle taxi service (boda-boda) operators of Kampala," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 345-357.
    3. Ibitayo, Olurominiyi O., 2012. "Towards effective urban transportation system in Lagos, Nigeria: Commuters’ opinions and experiences," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 141-147.
    4. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Assogba Guézéré & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet, 2016. "Earning a living, but at what price? Being a motorcycle taxi driver in a Sub-Saharan African city," Post-Print halshs-01325442, HAL.
    5. Diaz Olvera, Lourdes & Guézéré, Assogba & Plat, Didier & Pochet, Pascal, 2016. "Earning a living, but at what price? Being a motorcycle taxi driver in a Sub-Saharan African city," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 165-174.
    6. Salazar Ferro, Pablo & Behrens, Roger & Wilkinson, Peter, 2013. "Hybrid urban transport systems in developing countries: Portents and prospects," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 121-132.
    7. Fasakin, J. O., 2001. "Some factors affecting daily profits of commercial motorcycles in Akure, Nigeria," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 63-69, January.
    8. Junxi Qian, 2015. "No right to the street: Motorcycle taxis, discourse production and the regulation of unruly mobility," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(15), pages 2922-2947, November.
    9. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Didier Plat & Assogba Guezere & Pascal Pochet, 2013. "The motorbike taxis in Lomé: Who earns what?," Post-Print halshs-01093566, HAL.
    10. Porter, Gina & Tewodros, Amleset & Bifandimu, Flavian & Gorman, Mark & Heslop, Amanda & Sibale, Elisha & Awadh, Abdul & Kiswaga, Lorraine, 2013. "Transport and mobility constraints in an aging population: health and livelihood implications in rural Tanzania," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 161-169.
    11. Christopher Eraye Michael & Usman Adekunle Ojedoku & Eke Chijioke Chinwokwu, 2013. "Abolition of Commercial Motorbikes and Its Implication on Transportation and Criminality in Calabar Metropolis," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 1(1), pages 206-214, April.
    12. Kumarage, Amal S. & Bandara, Mahinda & Munasinghe, Darshini, 2010. "Analysis of the economic and social parameters of the Three-Wheeler Taxi service in Sri Lanka," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 395-400.
    13. Cervero, Robert & Golub, Aaron, 2007. "Informal transport: A global perspective," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 14(6), pages 445-457, November.
    14. Gina Porter, 2014. "Transport Services and Their Impact on Poverty and Growth in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Recent Research and Future Research Needs," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 25-45, January.
    15. Sohail, M. & Maunder, D.A.C. & Cavill, S., 2006. "Effective regulation for sustainable public transport in developing countries," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 177-190, May.
    16. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet & Maïdadi Sahabana, 2012. "Motorbike taxis in the "transport crisis" of West and Central African cities," Post-Print halshs-00717909, HAL.
    17. Ogunrinola, Oluranti I., 2011. "Global Economic Crisis and Career Aspirations among ‘Okada’ Riders in Nigeria: The Influence of Apprenticeship Skills Training," Business and Economics Research Journal, Uludag University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 2(3), pages 1-51, July.
    18. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Assogba Guezere & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet, 2015. "Improvising Intermodality and Multimodality. Empirical Findings for Lomé, Togo," Post-Print halshs-01246819, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Azunre, Gideon Abagna & Amponsah, Owusu & Takyi, Stephen Appiah & Mensah, Henry & Braimah, Imoro, 2022. "Urban informalities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A solution for or barrier against sustainable city development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Wadud, Zia, 2020. "The effects of e-ridehailing on motorcycle ownership in an emerging-country megacity," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 301-312.
    3. Bwambale, Andrew & Uzondu, Chinebuli & Islam, Mohaimanul & Rahman, Farzana & Batool, Zahara & Isolo Mukwaya, Paul & Wadud, Zia, 2023. "Willingness to pay for COVID-19 mitigation measures in public transport and paratransit in low-income countries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    4. Ndibatya, Innocent & Booysen, M.J., 2021. "Characterizing the movement patterns of minibus taxis in Kampala's paratransit system," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    5. Diaz Olvera, Lourdes & Plat, Didier & Pochet, Pascal, 2020. "Looking for the obvious: Motorcycle taxi services in Sub-Saharan African cities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    6. Kemajou, Armel & Jaligot, Rémi & Bosch, Martí & Chenal, Jérôme, 2019. "Assessing motorcycle taxi activity in Cameroon using GPS devices," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet, 2020. "Looking for the obvious: motorcycle taxi services in Sub-Saharan African cities," Post-Print halshs-02182855, HAL.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kemajou, Armel & Jaligot, Rémi & Bosch, Martí & Chenal, Jérôme, 2019. "Assessing motorcycle taxi activity in Cameroon using GPS devices," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Márquez, Luis & Pico, Ricardo & Cantillo, Víctor, 2018. "Understanding captive user behavior in the competition between BRT and motorcycle taxis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-9.
    3. Diaz Olvera, Lourdes & Plat, Didier & Pochet, Pascal, 2020. "Looking for the obvious: Motorcycle taxi services in Sub-Saharan African cities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Chalermpong, Saksith & Ratanawaraha, Apiwat & Anuchitchanchai, Ornicha, 2023. "Motorcycle taxis' varying degrees of complementarity and substitution with public transit in Bangkok," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    5. Diaz Olvera, Lourdes & Guézéré, Assogba & Plat, Didier & Pochet, Pascal, 2016. "Earning a living, but at what price? Being a motorcycle taxi driver in a Sub-Saharan African city," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 165-174.
    6. Wadud, Zia, 2020. "The effects of e-ridehailing on motorcycle ownership in an emerging-country megacity," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 301-312.
    7. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet, 2020. "Looking for the obvious: motorcycle taxi services in Sub-Saharan African cities," Post-Print halshs-02182855, HAL.
    8. Sgibnev, Wladimir & Rekhviashvili, Lela, 2020. "Marschrutkas: Digitalisation, sustainability and mobility justice in a low-tech mobility sector," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 342-352.
    9. Hagen, Jonas Xaver & Pardo, CarlosFelipe & Valente, Johanna Burbano, 2016. "Motivations for motorcycle use for Urban travel in Latin America: A qualitative study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 93-104.
    10. Rekhviashvili, Lela & Sgibnev, Wladimir, 2020. "Theorising informality and social embeddedness for the study of informal transport. Lessons from the marshrutka mobility phenomenon," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    11. Schwanen, Tim, 2020. "Towards decolonial human subjects in research on transport," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    12. Pandit, Debapratim & Sharma, Deepa, 2022. "Expected service dimensions and service levels for paratransit considering future mobility needs in emerging countries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1-13.
    13. Kerzhner, Tamara, 2022. "Formalization of East Jerusalem public transport: Mobility, politics and planning," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    14. Yu, Zhao & Zhao, Pengjun, 2021. "The factors in residents' mobility in rural towns of China: Car ownership, road infrastructure and public transport services," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    15. Gholami, Ali & Taghizadeh, Yaser & Tian, Zong, 2014. "Classification of taxi khattee (jitney) lines based on topography and line cost indices," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 239-249.
    16. Zhao, Pengjun & Yu, Zhao, 2021. "Rural poverty and mobility in China: A national-level survey," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    17. Venter, Christoffel, 2016. "Assessing the potential of bus rapid transit-led network restructuring for enhancing affordable access to employment – The case of Johannesburg's Corridors of Freedom," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 441-449.
    18. Sobhani, Md. Golam & Imtiyaz, Md. Nafis & Azam, Md. Shafiul & Hossain, Moinul, 2020. "A framework for analyzing the competitiveness of unconventional modes of transportation in developing cities," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 504-518.
    19. Dorina Pojani & Dominic Stead, 2015. "Sustainable Urban Transport in the Developing World: Beyond Megacities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-22, June.
    20. Alimo, Philip Kofi & Rahim, Abdul Basit Abdul & Lartey-Young, George & Ehebrecht, Daniel & Wang, Ling & Ma, Wanjing, 2022. "Investigating the increasing demand and formal regulation of motorcycle taxis in Ghana," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:69:y:2018:i:c:p:242-256. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-transport-geography .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.