E-Tuktuk is the future
MELVILLE – Forget hopping in the car for a quick dash to the shop. E-tuktuk, who have found a home in Melville and also work in Pretoria is a fast, affordable way to get from A to B. And their tuktuks are just the bees knees.
The company, now three years old, was conceived because of the petty crime that students attending the University of Johannesburg were experiencing on their way to and from campus.
Dèon Fourie, Chief Executive Officer at E-tuktuk, explained that the University then approached the Melville Development Community Organisation for a solution. Cue E-tuktuk, whose three-wheeled tuktuks are full of character, fun to ride and offer a safe and affordable door-to-door taxi service.
“It took off extremely fast. Not only did we realise that there were a lot of unemployed people who were looking for driving jobs, but the students now had a cheap, economical way of getting around,” Fourie says.
The company works closely with the City of Johannesburg who have been incredibly supportive in laying out the rules and regulations for making E-tuktuk a public transport system and a feeder system to the Gautrain and other modes of public transport. E-tuktuk have also recently stationed their driver Sandiso Ndlovu outside of the Bannister Hotel in Braamfontein with a branded tuktuk. This tuktuk is an ideal way for businessmen and students to get around town fast, safely and affordably.
E-tuktuk’s Director of Business Development & Strategic Planning, David Thorpe, mentioned that many people assume that because E-tuktuk is a taxi service, it’s like Uber. “We’re not. We are the short, sharp, R20 round the corner kind of trip, bar to bar or student residence to shop and back again kind of thing. It’s cheap, affordable and it’s also a different feeling in a tuktuk.”
The tuktuks used by the company are cheery and easy to spot, thanks to the taxi stripe branding and signature ‘E’ on the front. This branding distinguishes the legal tuktuks from the illegal ones, which unfortunately also run in the area.
Each driver that works at E-tuktuk is trained in-house and has to follow strict procedures, as the drivers are the face of the business. The company has a driver ownership programme where the driver can buy their tuktuks, giving them the chance to have their own mode of transport. The company is very hands on and considerate of their workers and their customers. “That’s very important to us,” said Fourie. “We make sure everything is done right and people can trust us. David and myself are hands on in the company. We operate it and we’re here. Anyone can speak to us directly,” Fourie concluded.
Details: www.e-tuktuk.co.za, 072 316 8099.
