This App Lets You Book an Electric Tuk-tuk to Get to Your Destination

Buses and trains help us move around, but they’re not enough since there are roads and smaller streets they don’t pass by. While walking seems like a good (and healthy) option, it’s not always the best one, especially when the distance is far and when the weather isn’t cooperating. You scratched both options and thought of booking a car like Grab, but it’s expensive for daily commute! So, what’s next? Instead of adding to the number of cars on the road, one app decided to make travelling more convenient (with a local touch) through ridesharing. Meet MuvMi.

What’s MuvMi and how is it different from the others?

MuvMi is an on-demand ridesharing service that can take you to different parts of downtown Bangkok in an electric vehicle (EV). But it’s not just any vehicle, it’s a tuk-tuk that Thailand’s streets are known for!

While the traditional three-wheeled motorcycle taxi is powered by diesel, the company that developed the electric tuk-tuks — Urban Mobility Tech Co., Ltd. — takes the eco-friendly route to help save the planet. What’s more, they’re not as noisy and you can make contactless payments.

How does it work?

Curious about how you can get around while saving the planet? Here are some steps to get started:

Step 1 – Download the app on the App Store or Google Play. As of writing, the only available languages are Thai and English.

Step 2 – Enter your pick-up and drop-off point. The service areas are limited for now, but they’re enough to take you to many popular spots and neighbourhoods, including Chula-Samyan, Ari-Pradipat, Rattanakosin, Sukhumvit, Silom-Sathorn, and more.

Step 3 – Choose the number of passengers (up to six). If you don’t want to share, you can tick the “I want a whole car” box to have the entire ride for yourself. The base rate is THB10 per person, and it can go lower depending on the number of passengers you’re sharing with.

Step 4 – Tap “Choose Payment” and choose between MuvMi Pass and My Wallet, which you can top-up using a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. If you have a Thai bank account, you can top-up via QR Code and get extra 5%. The top-up amounts available are THB100, THB250, THB500, and THB1,000, but you can also input a specific amount.

Step 5 – Tap “Request a car” when you’re ready. Once the app has assigned you a driver, check the details carefully: the name and photo of the driver, their tuk-tuk number, their estimated time of arrival, and a photo of the pick-up point.

Step 6 – Tap “Scan QR Code” when your tuk-tuk arrives to pay. The app will notify you once your driver arrives, and it will display a timer so make sure you’re at your pick-up point on time!

Step 7 – Buckle up your seatbelt (yes, they have seatbelts for safety) and enjoy the ride. Don’t forget to rate your driver once you alight.

What’s next for these electric tuk-tuks?

If you’re wondering if electric tuk-tuks have become successful since launch, the answer is definitely. In a report by The Nation Thailand, Urban Mobility Tech Co., Ltd. co-founder Krisada Kritayakirana said in a press conference on Jan. 13 that demand for electric tuk-tuks is growing along with the rising popularity of EVs in Thailand.

“Our initial goal is to provide environmentally friendly vehicles for city dwellers who struggle to find public transportation after departing skytrain, subway, and bus stations,” he was quoted as saying.

“The majority of our MuvMi customers are working people and university students who take tuk-tuk to and from their homes to shopping malls, offices, restaurants, and universities nearby,” he added.

MuvMi has moved about 3.7 million passengers since 2018. To avoid longer waiting times due to growing demand, Kritayakirana said they’re planning to increase the number of tuk-tuks in the first half of 2023 and to serve more locations in the latter half of the year.

For more information, visit MuvMi’s website and follow their Facebook page.