This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On September 30th, 2019, Little Cabs announced in an email to customers that their e-shuttle service would be temporarily halted, effective October 1st, 2019, due to a directive from transport authorities.
The authorities claimed that Little Cabs did not have the right licenses to operate the service, despite the company's e-shuttles being provided by properly licensed partners.
In a letter to customers, Little Cabs CEO Kamal Budhabhatti expressed disappointment at the decision, stating that the company had been running the service efficiently and profitably for three quarters, and had made significant improvements to their technology.
Budhabhatti also expressed hope that the authorities would work with technology companies like Little Cabs to improve public transportation in the country, citing the example of Safaricom's M-Pesa mobile money service, which was initially unregulated but eventually worked with the Central Bank to develop a legal model.
The Little Cabs e-shuttle service was popular among customers, who appreciated its efficiency, reliability, and safety. However, the service will be suspended until further notice, and customers are advised to make alternative arrangements for their daily commute.
