By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA: Commuters who pay so much for Ubar services in place of cheap and affordable “along” services in urban and semi urban cities for fear of falling into the hands of one chance operators, may have reason to cheer as a Nigerian e-hailing transportation service operator, Along Nigeria Transport limited has introduced new products to address the needs.

The products, launched in Abuja, come in variants of Along and Sole rides and also offer two apps, for driver and passenger.
The company said it is poised to revolutionize the transportation sector in Nigeria by offering affordable, dedicated to offering safe, affordable, convenient rides for both drivers and passengers
Unveiling the products, Managing Director/Co-founder, Along Transport Limited, Endurance Omonibo, said the focus of the company is to end the risk and fears associated with the usual Along transport system and redefine affordable and safer transportation system in Nigeria and offer real-time solution to road users.
He said the transportation service is dedicated to providing cost effective as and pleasurable services to people.

“Along Transport promises to provide safe, and convenient rides for both drivers and passengers is a new product coming into the market to provide novel and competitive services to the road users.
“It runs on an app product that provides easy transportation just like Uber or Bolt, but this one is called the ALONG APPLICATION… That’s basically what the product is about. “
Founded in 2023 and officially launched in 2024 with the goal of transforming the transportation landscape, Omonibo explained that the company draws inspiration from the traditional concept of “along,”.
“We have digitized it into an innovative mobile platform called the “Along App”.
With its innovative app, robust safety features, and commitment to job creation, Along Transport is set to become a leading player in the Nigerian transportation market.”
In terms of the features, Along app prioritizes safety, comfort, and convenience, with features such as identity verification for both riders and drivers. This, it boasts ensures that all users are legitimate and accountable.
In terms of job creation, Omonibo also revealed that Along is committed to offering affordable rides while enabling drivers to earn double their typical daily income, adding that the app is currently in the beta testing phase and operates in Abuja, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
In terms of the ride options, he said the company offers two modes of transportation: Along (Transit): Shared rides with pre-selected stops, available in both Economy and Business tiers. This mode allows up to four riders heading in the same direction to share a ride, making it more cost-effective than traveling solo.
The second product, Drop (Trip), is a private or solo rides to a specific destination, that offers in both Economy and Business tiers. “Drivers can complete multiple shared trips each day, increasing their earnings,” he added.
Speaking on safety features, the MD affirmed that the company takes safety seriously, saying that all riders and drivers are required to register using their National Identification Number (NIN) or Bank Verification Number (BVN), which helps to reduce incidents of crime such as kidnapping, theft, and harassment.
“We also partner with a trusted identity verification provider and are fully certified by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
Other features included the SOS..The app allows users to quickly notify their emergency contacts or services like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or Nigeria Police in the event of an emergency.
“Along Transport is designed to create new job opportunities within the transportation sector. According to him, divers can join the platform as full-time or part-time workers, benefiting from increased earnings and enhanced safety features.”
In terms of payment options, riders have three convenient payment options: cash/transfer, wallet, and card payments. “Upon signing up, each user is assigned a wallet, where they can set transportation budgets and manage funds. Drivers also have access to their wallets for easy transactions, with a 10% commission deducted on cash-based rides”
On the successes recorded, he said since launching the beta version in September 2024, Along has recorded 4,500 active riders and 375 drivers in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Bayelsa.
Over 305 rides completed.
Also, the company disclosed that more than 500 users signed up in cities beyond current service areas with a competitive 10% commission rate for drivers.
He feared that funding could pise a challenge, but noted that the company is being positioned as one of the leading e-hailing transportation service provider in Africa, as it is open to a variety of funding options to scale up operations, expand marketing efforts, increase sign-ups, and drive profits for all stakeholders just as it seeks equity and other investment options to support possible investments.
“As Along continues to grow, we are committed to: Enhancing the app to meet the evolving needs of riders and drivers; offering exciting incentives and rewards and maintaining open communication and prioritizing safety and comfort.”