The Struggling Traditional Motorbike Taxi Drivers

The recent boom in ride-hailing app services has made it increasingly difficult for traditional motorcycle taxi drivers to compete, making their livelihoods more precarious.

Shrinking Incomes

Mr. Tran Van Phuoc, a 61-year-old traditional motorcycle taxi driver with 32 years of experience, continues to work despite his declining health to make ends meet. However, the number of traditional taxi users has been decreasing, especially in the last two years. On good days, Mr. Phuoc earns between VND 100,000 and VND 200,000, but there are also days when he barely makes enough to cover his gas and food expenses for the day.

“Since I’m renting a room, I have to live frugally and save a portion of my daily income to pay my monthly rent. When I have fewer passengers, I worry about how I’ll pay my rent,” Mr. Phuoc sighed.

Many traditional motorcycle taxi drivers like Mr. Nguyen Van Tha, 63, who has been in the business for over 30 years, are struggling to make a living. Every day, Mr. Tha gets up at 4 a.m. to help with loading and unloading goods in Binh Chanh before heading to his usual passenger pick-up spot in District 12. He spends the whole day outdoors, braving the sun and rain, but sometimes returns home empty-handed without a single passenger. Despite this, he persists in his daily routine, hoping to support himself financially.

“I drive a motorcycle taxi so that I won’t be a burden to my children,” Mr. Tha shared. Due to the decrease in passengers, he tries to extend his working hours into the evening, hoping to get a few more rides.

Intense Competition and Challenges in Adopting New Technology

Mr. Tran Dinh Thanh, 62, has been a traditional motorcycle taxi driver for over a decade. Regardless of the weather, he is always ready to pick up passengers. Standing under a bridge near the Ngã Tư Ga bus station in District 12, he waits from early morning until evening. According to Mr. Thanh, the emergence and rapid growth of ride-hailing apps, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly reduced the number of traditional taxi users and their incomes.

“The competition is intense, and passengers prefer ride-hailing apps because they offer convenience, discounts, and attractive promotions. This makes it challenging for traditional motorcycle taxi drivers like us to find passengers. Sometimes, I go home without earning a single dime,” Mr. Thanh lamented.

When asked why he doesn’t switch to ride-hailing apps or delivery services, Mr. Thanh explained that, as a senior citizen, he is not familiar with smartphones and has an old phone that cannot run these apps. “Smartphones have too many functions for me to understand. I only use an old phone for calls,” he said.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoan, 60, a traditional motorcycle taxi driver with 20 years of experience, knows the city’s roads like the back of his hand and can navigate without using map or ride-hailing apps. According to Mr. Hoan, the rise of ride-hailing apps has significantly impacted his income, and he now relies mostly on return customers. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of passengers has dropped significantly. There used to be motorcycle taxis at every intersection, but now only a few remain, mostly elderly individuals who cannot find other work and are not tech-savvy,” he said.