With the recent acquisition of Shotl, Egyptian transport company SWVL has expanded to Japan. The expansion’s pilot phase, which began on February 28, is focused on Ikuta 4–8 Chome, which is located near Japan’s mountain ranges. Kawasaki City (known as one of the biggest industrial areas within the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan axis in Japan) and Itochu Techno-Solutions (CTC) – which is known by the name Shotl– are the implementing bodies.

The pilot phase will run until April 28 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It costs 300 yen ($2.6) each person to use the facilities.

The free test drive period was planned from the 21st to the 25th of February prior to the launch.

“It’s less expensive than a cab, and you can book ahead of time. However, because other people can ride with you, it may take longer to travel. If it replaces taxis and buses as a mode of transportation, it will be a success,” CTC was quoted as saying in a statement.

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The service can be used by making reservations by smartphone app or phone. The on-demand transportation service updates the ideal route from time to time.  Up to four persons can be transported in a shared Ikuta Kotsu cab using two Ikuta Kotsu taxis. You can board and disembark at approved locations, such as in front of your home in Ikuta 4–8 Chome.

In addition, Nakanoshima Station, Inageya, Kawasaki Nakanoshima Store, OK Ikuta Store, and surrounding bus stops have been recognized as boarding / alighting locations outside the area.

SWVL was able to break into Japanese territory thanks to a collaboration between its recent acquisition Shotl and the Ikutayama Te Autonomous Society, which has been working on a similar project to address traffic issues since 2019.

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The area was chosen as the focus of the CTC demonstration project as the city’s population ages and conversations with Ikuta Kotsu and others are ongoing to build a new mode of transportation in the area where there are no bus routes.

“Other options, such as community buses, have been considered. There are numerous requests for shopping and hospital visits “Chairman of the Ikutayama Te Autonomous Society, Toshio Mochizuki (86), adds.

“Although elderly people may find the app difficult to use, I believe this is acceptable because they can make reservations over the phone. It won’t last if there aren’t many users, therefore what will happen in the future?” Masatsugu Yokoyama (78), Vice Chairman, stated.

 A Look At What SWVL Does

Swvl is a global provider of transformative tech-enabled mass transit solutions, offering intercity, intracity, B2B and B2G transportation. Swvl’s platform provides semi-private alternatives to public transportation for individuals who cannot access or afford private options. Every day, Swvl’s parallel mass transit systems are empowering individuals to go where they want, when they want — making mobility safer, more efficient, accessible and environmentally friendly. Customers can book their rides on an easy-to-use proprietary app with varied payment options and 24 / 7 access to high-quality private buses and vans that operate according to fixed routes, stations, times, and prices.

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Swvl was co-founded by Mostafa Kandil, who began his career at Rocket Internet, where he launched the car sales platform Carmudi in the Philippines, which became the largest car classifieds company in the country in just six months. He then served as Rocket Internet’s Head of Operations. In 2016, Kandil joined Careem, a ride-sharing company and the first unicorn in the Middle East. He supported the platform’s expansion into multiple new markets. Careem is now a subsidiary of Uber, based in Dubai, with operations across 100 cities and 15 countries.

SWVL Shotl Japan SWVL Shotl Japan

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Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
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