Hitch-hiking as a mode of travel has long been considered unsafe due to the risks involved in getting into a stranger’s car.
The local transport app, Qevoo, aims to address the specific challenges faced by Namibian travellers, unlike many international apps.
Speaking to The Namibian, Qevoo founder and developer Jeffrey Ngakuzevi says the idea for the app came about when he saw how a mother and her child struggled to secure transport at Rundu in 2018.
“As I helped her, I realised the need for a platform that could not only protect passengers’ belongings but also create a fairer system. This incident sparked my motivation to develop Qevoo and I started looking into ways to build such a platform.”
According to Ngakuzevi, Qevoo is tailored specifically for long-distance travel between towns, addressing a niche that many other apps overlook.
While most platforms focus on urban, short-distance commutes, Qevoo is built for inter-town travel, catering to the unique challenges faced by Namibian commuters.
“Drivers can set their routes and availability, making it easier to match with passengers travelling the same way. Once a driver’s car is full, they receive automatic notifications, even if they’re offline,” Ngakuzevi says.
Qevoo also has unique features like parcel delivery notification, real-time ride updates, chat rooms and driver ratings. Passengers can reserve multiple seats or book rides for others, and there’s even a single-button notification for drivers to alert all passengers when they’re ready to depart.
This focus on long-distance travel and tailored features truly differentiates Qevoo from the rest, he says.
“Qevoo is more than just a transportation tool – it’s a home-grown solution that’s tailored to Namibia’s needs. It empowers local drivers and provides a safer, more reliable option for passengers who might otherwise struggle to find dependable long-distance travel,” Ngakuzevi says.
As someone who has commuted frequently between different locations, Ngakuzevi says the biggest challenge he noticed was the unpredictability of getting a ride on time.
On a typical day, most drivers would wait until their car was completely full before departing, which meant passengers often waited for hours.
“Additionally, there was no transparency – drivers rarely communicated realistic timelines and passengers would get shuffled around, losing their belongings in the chaos.”
According to Ngakuzevi, Qevoo solves these issues by allowing passengers to book their rides from the comfort of their own homes.
He says the app helps drivers and passengers connect in real-time, eliminating long wait times and ensuring more security for their belongings.
What is particularly beneficial for night-shift workers or those travelling late at night is the fact that Qevoo provides the added safety of a guaranteed ride home.
Drivers can also save time and focus on other priorities while the platform handles passenger bookings for them.
“It’s a solution that benefits both parties and creates a streamlined transportation experience,” Ngakuzevi says.
One of the drivers on the app, Gerson Jonas, says it allows for a smoother flow of communication between the driver and the passenger.
He says he no longer has to wait by the road for customers or be forced to pay the ‘load masters’ to assist in looking for customers.
“[Standing there] also brings confusion for the customer because the moment you arrive at the pick-up spot, you get pulled this way and that. The app helps us by making it easier for customers and drivers to get in touch.”
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
