Maxride Yogyakarta launched operations on April 28, 2025, reintroducing the iconic bajaj as a contemporary ride-sharing service.

The three-wheeled vehicles, once prominent in Jakarta, now serve as an alternative mode of transport in Yogyakarta.

The service immediately gained public attention due to its unique offering.

Bayu Subolah, City Manager of Maxride and Maxauto, said the expansion to Yogyakarta was driven by the city’s high volume of online transport transactions.

“We just started running for about three weeks,” Bayu said during an interview at Maxride’s Ring Road Utara office in Sleman (20/5).

Competitive Fares and Service Flexibility

Maxride offers fares starting from IDR 14,000 for the first three kilometers and IDR 3,500 for each additional kilometer.

“In general, our fare is slightly higher than motorcycle taxis and lower than car-based services. We want to offer a ride that’s comfortable, sheltered from sun and rain, but still affordable,” Bayu explained.

The vehicles are designed to carry three adult passengers and cargo.

“It’s more comfortable. Drivers don’t get cold, aren’t exposed to heat, and stay dry in the rain,” he added.

Maxride operates 24 hours a day. Drivers can earn more based on their activity.

“Some who drove for up to 12 hours earned IDR 400,000 to IDR 500,000,” Bayu stated.

Driver Recruitment and Ownership Options

Maxride began recruiting drivers two weeks before launching. As of three weeks into operations, 50 drivers had joined, many from online motorcycle taxi and bentor communities.

The company uses a rental model where drivers pay a daily fee of IDR 75,000. “It’s rental for now.

Drivers pay a daily fee and are not required to stay online because they’ve already paid the rent,” Bayu explained.

Maxride also offers drivers the option to buy their own vehicles.

“If they buy, it becomes their asset. Even with rental, there’s no obligation to stay exclusive on our platform,” he said.

Investment opportunities are available to individuals who want to become bajaj owners. This model has been used previously in Medan and Makassar.

Strong Demand and Expansion Efforts

Since launching, public interest has been high, with 400 people registering as driver candidates.

Daily ride demand has reached between 3,000 to 5,000, but the current fleet can only handle about 700 to 900 rides per day.

Maxride acts as a feeder service, connecting outer areas that are hard to reach with larger public transport systems like Trans Jogja and train stations.

“We want to be a feeder from areas that can’t be accessed by cars, connecting them to public transport,” said Bayu.

Digital Integration and Public Reception

Maxride drivers are equipped with smartphones, similar to online motorcycle taxi drivers.

Unlike motorcycle drivers who use personal vehicles, Maxride drivers operate uniform fleets.

A promotional ride shared by Instagram user @pranovvo showed a trip from Lempuyangan to Monjali (4.8 km) costing IDR 12,000, down from the regular fare of IDR 22,000 due to an ongoing promotion.

Maxride began in Makassar in September 2023, followed by Medan in November 2024, before expanding to Yogyakarta.

The service also includes small-to-large goods delivery using bajaj-based vehicles with pickup-style compartments.

Maxride is operated by PT Bajaj Auto Indonesia, affiliated with Bajaj Auto Limited from India.

PHOTO: MAXRIDE

This article was created with AI assistance.