Go-Jek’s linkup with taxi operator Blue Bird begins today (UPDATED)

Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim on stage at Tech in Asia Jakarta 2016.

Indonesia’s homegrown ride-hailing app Go-Jek followed through on its promise to enter a partnership with the country’s largest taxi operator, Blue Bird.

Starting on January 31, some Go-Jek users saw pop-ups in their app announcing “Go-Car and Bluebird join forces.”

Screenshot made today by a user of Go-Jek’s iPhone app.

Go-Car, one of Go-Jek’s many transportation features, is just like Uber. It lets you order a private or rental car – mid-range to luxury – on the spot.

But it’s now possible that you get a Blue Bird cab instead, based on the partnership between Go-Jek and the taxi operator. If a cab happens to be closer than a Go-Car driver, it will come pick you up, for the same fixed rate and promotions offered by the ride-hailing app.

The feature was first only available to iPhone users, but a day later Go-Jek announced the release of an updated version of its Android app which includes the Blue Bird linkup. The feature is limited to Jakarta.

Screenshot of Go-Jek’s app update description on the iOS app store today.

Overtaken by Uber

Go-Jek first announced plans for a partnership with Blue Bird about a year ago, but it’s been quiet ever since. What form the collaboration would take wasn’t clear either.

Then, toward the end of last year, Uber sped past Go-Jek. It launched its own tie-up with another big taxi company, Express. The way it works is very similar to what Go-Jek and Blue Bird are doing now.

Both startups could increase the numbers of cars in their networks dramatically if the trials proceed toward a full-fleet integration, possibly across several cities.

Blue Bird says it has some 23,000 cars across Indonesia, while Express has at least 11,000 vehicles under its banner.