ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, motorcycle and motorised three-wheeler taxis have become important means of transport in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in rural areas. However, the emerging role of mobile phone technology in improving mobility in rural areas is currently under-explored in the literature. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale research study that was undertaken into the use of mobile phone technology in the context of motorcycle and three-wheeler taxi use, and its potential to improve rural access. Informed by a literature review, the research focuses on four countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with riders of motorcycle and motorised three-wheeler taxis and the developers of mobile phone-enabled transport technologies. Mobile technology linked to the utilisation of motorcycle and three-wheeler taxis is increasing, but ‘ride-hailing’ applications (apps) are likely to be limited to urban areas for the foreseeable future due to various disincentives to their use in rural areas. The study identifies several promising innovations that combine the use of motorcycles and three-wheelers with mobile technology to increase rural people’s access to essential services and opportunities. These have the potential to be scaled up or expanded to other countries.

中文翻译：

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手机技术在非洲农村摩托车和三轮出租车服务中的潜在作用

摘要 在过去的二十年中，摩托车和机动三轮出租车已成为许多撒哈拉以南非洲国家（包括农村地区）的重要交通工具。然而，移动电话技术在改善农村地区流动性方面的新兴作用目前在文献中尚未得到充分探索。本文介绍了一项小规模研究的结果，该研究针对在摩托车和三轮出租车使用的背景下使用移动电话技术及其改善农村接入的潜力进行。根据文献综述，该研究集中在四个国家：肯尼亚、卢旺达、坦桑尼亚和乌干达。对摩托车和机动三轮出租车的骑手以及支持移动电话的交通技术的开发人员进行了半结构化访谈和焦点小组讨论。与使用摩托车和三轮出租车相关的移动技术正在增加，但“叫车”应用程序（应用程序）在可预见的未来可能仅限于城市地区，因为它们在农村地区的使用受到各种阻碍。该研究确定了几项有前途的创新，将摩托车和三轮车的使用与移动技术相结合，以增加农村人民获得基本服务和机会的机会。这些有可能扩大或扩展到其他国家。该研究确定了几项有前途的创新，将摩托车和三轮车的使用与移动技术相结合，以增加农村人民获得基本服务和机会的机会。这些有可能扩大或扩展到其他国家。该研究确定了几项有前途的创新，将摩托车和三轮车的使用与移动技术相结合，以增加农村人民获得基本服务和机会的机会。这些有可能扩大或扩展到其他国家。