UberTuk in Lima: success or failure in the mototaxi market?

Uber has announced the launch of a new mototaxi service in Lima, called UberTuk, with the intention of revolutionizing mobility in the country and offering Lima residents a safe and reliable alternative for getting around the Peruvian capital. However, the question remains as to whether this service will succeed in Peru. According to Camilo Segura, Communications Manager for Uber in the Andean region, UberTuk aims to provide users with the same quality and safety standards that characterize the company, while also offering mototaxi drivers the opportunity to increase their earnings through the application. To encourage more mototaxi drivers to participate, Uber is offering additional benefits on the first 10 trips during the initial days of operation. Despite the lack of details on the districts where the service will start and the exact launch date, it is expected that UberTuk will begin operating in the coming weeks in Lima. Those interested in registering as drivers will need to meet certain requirements, such as owning a three-wheeled vehicle or mototaxi in good condition, as well as the necessary documents for registration. This is not the first time a ride-hailing company has attempted to enter the mototaxi market in Peru. In 2018, Easy Taxi introduced EasyKar, a similar proposal that, despite its efforts, did not succeed due to various challenges, such as informality and insecurity in transportation. In light of this situation, experts like Freddy Linares-Torres and Aldo Bravo offer their opinions on the possible obstacles UberTuk will face in the Peruvian market. Linares-Torres emphasizes the importance of creating a real need for users before adding high commissions, while Bravo warns of the need for a complete structural reform in the transportation system to ensure the safety and sustainability of the service. While Uber assures that UberTuk drivers must meet requirements such as having a driver's license and mandatory insurance, the long-term success of this service will depend on its ability to address the challenges of informality and insecurity present in the mototaxi sector in Peru. Ultimately, UberTuk represents an attempt to capitalize on unmet demand in the Peruvian market, but its long-term viability will be determined by its ability to adapt to the specificities of transportation in the country and ensure the safety and quality of the service offered to users.