(A column highlighting scientific, technological, engineering and design innovation in Africa)
Safari Yetu, Kiswahili for “Our Journey,” is a web and mobile-based reservation and ticketing system for bus companies and ferry service providers.
Developed in 2011 by Arnold Minde, a computer engineering graduate of Dar es Salaam University, Tanzania, it allows operators to more efficiently manage their fleets and seat reservations, as well as publish their services and schedules. Reservation staff and agents can help passengers reserve and buy seats.
Agents earn commissions on the tickets they sell.
Generally in Tanzania, as in much of Africa, those traveling by bus have to go to the bus station the day before their actual travel date to purchase a ticket. For many, this means traveling long distances, or spending several hours in traffic to do so. Safari Yetu changes all that, allowing passengers to purchase and pay for a ticket online, or via a mobile phone with Internet connection, from anywhere and at any time.
Once a seat is paid for, Safari Yetu sends an electronic ticket to the passenger’s phone by text, or to the passenger’s computer by e-mail, with details of the bus and seat number.
Safari Yetu uses cloud computing to provide its services. Operators pay no upfront costs, setup charges, monthly fees, account cancellation fees, or any other charges to use the system. Instead, Safari Yetu charges them a small percentage of the ticket price for each ticket sold.
Safari Yetu was the winner of Startup World Tanzania in 2012, beating nine other contestants. It also won the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) startup boot camp East Africa event in 2013, beating more than 100 start-ups to become the best in the region.
