PickMe calls out taxi conflict

• Says it’s hurting Sri Lanka’s tourism

Sri Lanka’s transport sector is facing growing tensions as conflicts between the local taxi groups and app-based ride-hailing operators escalate. 

Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, the owner of taxi-hailing app PickMe, has raised concerns over the rising harassment of its drivers and urged the authorities to intervene, warning that the issue is affecting tourism.

PickMe CEO Jiffry Zulfer called for urgent action from the law enforcement authorities to address the safety concerns, emphasising the need to ensure the security of all transport service providers.

He noted that the resistance toward the app-operated transport services stems from a belief that these platforms are taking business away from the traditional taxi operators.

“In reality, the software-driven solutions help to bring tourists into their areas from far-off locations, creating opportunities for the local businesses. The traditional operators, on the other hand, are most often not in a position to bring in tourists to their areas, due to the limited accessibility and higher operational costs.It is therefore necessary to understand that instead of viewing the technology-driven transport as competition or even a threat, it is actually a system that makes the overall industry more efficient,” Zulfer said in a statement.

In the past 12 weeks, more than 30 incidents have been reported where the local taxi groups allegedly harassed or obstructed the app-based drivers for transporting passengers in certain areas. According to PickMe, several of these incidents included not just vandalism and causing damages to vehicles but also physical injuries sustained by the app-based ride-hailing drivers. Many of these incidents involved foreign tourists seeking the convenience of the app-based transport solutions during their holiday. PickMe asserted that these incidents not only put the drivers at risk but also threaten the country’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for travellers.Data from PickMe reveals several hotspots across the country, where such conflicts have become common.

The app-based software platforms like PickMe are becoming the preferred choice for tourists, due to their affordability, convenience and transparency. Unlike the traditional taxis, which often rely on negotiated, fixed or meter-based pricing, the app-based services use dynamic, data-driven pricing, resulting from the large efficient marketplaces they’ve created, with the advantage of technology. 

Despite the rising popularity of the app-based taxis, Zulfer stressed the importance of coexistence between the traditional taxis and digital platforms. He noted that while these two driver groups serve customers with different choices and operate within distinct ecosystems, both have a place in Sri Lanka’s transport landscape. 

“It must be understood that the drivers who opt for the app-based technology platforms are citizens with the same rights as any other individual. They have the right to move and work freely across the country,” Zulfer said.

However, the PickMe surveys suggest significant room for improvement within the traditional taxi sector. A fair percentage of passengers using local taxis in Colombo report dissatisfaction with unclear pricing and inconsistent service quality. The growing preference for app-based ride-hailing platforms reflects a broader shift toward efficiency and digital integration in Sri Lanka’s transportation sector.