Motorcycle Taxis (Boda-Boda) Business: An Essential Service and Economically Appealing with Significant Public Health Risk in Muleba District, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/jebs.v2i1.7130Keywords:
Boda-Boda, Informal Sector Regulation, Motorcycle Taxis, Muleba District, Risk Perception, Road Safety, Tanzania, Transport SafetyAbstract
Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as “Boda-Boda,” are a ubiquitous and essential mode of daily transport in both urban and rural areas of Muleba District, Tanzania. They are used to transport people, animals, and goods. Using a mixed-methods approach (interviews, focus groups and 600 surveys), the study reveals high community risk awareness alongside rationalized acceptance driven by acute economic precarity and a lack of alternatives. Findings expose systemic regulatory failure, where enforcement is perceived as revenue collection rather than a safety mechanism. The study concludes that the crisis stems from broader developmental gaps in transport, governance and employment. The study advocates for integrated, evidence-based interventions that combine affordable safety measures, community-led enforcement, and economic incentives to align livelihood needs with public health safety.
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