LUSAKA, Zambia  — A Zambian FinTech startup, YendaRide, is introducing a digital platform designed to make bus ticketing and fare payments more transparent and equitable in Zambia’s public transportation system, where cash payments and fixed fares are prevalent.
YendaRide’s app allows passengers to pay postpaid fares calculated based on the actual distance traveled, aiming to eliminate overcharging, lost change, and unfair flat rates.
“We saw that passengers were being overcharged or losing change because of the chaotic nature of fare collection on local buses,” said Colins Mulenga Nonde, Founder and CEO of YendaRide. “Our platform solves that problem by giving passengers the power to pay only for the distance they travel — not a blanket fare.”
Available on the Google Play Store, the YendaRide app links to a user’s mobile money or bank account. Passengers generate a QR code for each trip, which is scanned by the bus conductor using a point-of-sale (POS) machine. The system automatically deducts the correct fare and grants access to the ride. Bus operators also benefit by gaining visibility into payments and transactions through the POS system.
According to YendaRide, the platform has encountered some resistance from local authorities and transport regulators as they adapt to digital innovation in the sector. However, Nonde remains optimistic about the potential for digital disruption.
YendaRide was featured on the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, an initiative that highlights financial technology solutions across Africa. The initiative has reportedly showcased over 200 FinTechs over the past five years.
Startups like YendaRide are demonstrating that financial inclusion extends beyond mobile wallets to include the development of smarter systems that cater to the needs of everyday commuters.
