Cheatsheet 3.1

Market Mapping – Exercise

Instructions: In your group, read the below scenario and answer the following questions. You have 30 minutes.

You work for TAXIHELP, and aid NGO that supports the lives and livelihoods of the urban poor, by supporting effective local public taxi services.

You have considered and drawn a map of the taxi vehicle market system.

In the last few days, there have been very few taxis at all in the locality. A serious conflict and riot situation has left much of the city fleet damaged or destroyed.

Some roads are blocked completely, others partially impassable, by riot barricades and general obstructions.

Some gas/petrol stations have been affected and have either run out of supplies or are rationing them.

Insurers have withdrawn their cover to taxi drivers and interrupted them to some of the taxi vehicle leasing companies.

Similarly, financial services to both the leasing companies and vehicle importers are interrupted.

Almost all urban poor domestic customers are ignored in favor of the established business customers who continue to use what few taxis there are.

Local government officials are also starting to impose new rules on the movement of transport in the locality.

Your task (30 minutes):

Please prepare a map of the taxi vehicle market system and answer the following questions.

  1. How will you represent the changed situation on your map following the conflict and riots?

See example map drawings (baseline and post-conflict)

  1. How will you gather more detailed required information, and who will you ask?

Information can be gathered with interviews and/or focus groups with stakeholders. Ideally we will talk to different actors in the market chain and those providing services, e.g. taxi customers, drivers, leasing companies, petrol stations, insurance agencies, government, etc.

  1. What other factors might be important to consider?

We will also want to look into alternative methods of transportation, e.g. buses, motorcycles, we well as learn more about the conflict. How long is it expected to last?

  1. Once you’ve gathered sufficient information and data, what sort of responses might your agency consider and make to the vehicle market to support the urban poor taxi users and their families to resume their lives and livelihoods?

Example responses include (these are not comprehensive):

  • Cash or vouchers to targeted customers to afford taxis
  • Support to taxi drivers/leasing companies to rebuild their taxi fleet
  • Facilitating access to credit/insurance for market actors
  • Advocacy to government for favorable policies
  • Research into alternative transportation systems