The success of a new Uber-style approach to providing secure people transport in Port Moresby will see the concept rolled out across Papua New Guinea next year, says Black Swan International CEO Brian Kelly. He tells Business Advantage PNG the upmarket service has hit a chord with business people.

Black Swan International’s operations centre. Source: Black Swan International

‘We noticed that customers were booking a vehicle for a full-day hire even though they were attending meetings all day, so the vehicle spent most of the time parked nearby,’ observes Brian Kelly of security services firm, Black Swan International.

‘Obviously this ‘waiting time’ costs the customer money.

The service can be booked using a smartphone app.

‘Our approach was to saturate the city with an over-abundance of vehicles so the customer could walk out of their meeting and walk-in to a waiting vehicle.

Black Swan had a ‘soft launch’ of its new service in February, while it was waiting for a Gateway Payment option on its VIP smartphone app, which allows trips to be paid by credit card, says Kelly.

That came through in September and since then, the cost-saving service has ‘hit a chord’ with business people who would normally hire a car and driver for the day.

‘We are currently in the middle of an iPad roll-out with all the major hotels and tourist hot-spots throughout the city,’ says Kelly.

‘As an example, after eating dinner at your favourite restaurant, you can tap on the iPad located near the reception and order your ride home.’

Uber-style

Black Swan International’s Brian Kelly. Source: Black Swan International

The concept is based on the globally successful Uber model, but with key differences.

Vehicles are owned by Black Swan and are a mix of Range Rovers, Mitsubishi Pajeros, Mercedes, and Kias. They are fitted with a tracking devices and emergency duress buttons.

Unlike Uber, drivers are employees of Black Swan, wear the Black Swan uniform and are trained by the company.

And unlike conventional fare estimates in Port Moresby, fares are calculated on the kilometres travelled basis, rather than per person.

‘It is important for a business to continue to be innovative, especially during a downturn in the economy,’ says Kelly.

‘The next plan is to lower the costs even more so we can attract some of the self-drive market.’