THE entry of a new taxi hailing application is seen to boost transportation services in Negros Occidental, especially Bacolod City.
Hirna Mobility Solutions Inc. has started to expand its services in the city next to other areas in the country like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Iloilo.
Its president and chief executive officer Francisco Mauricio, during the press launch at Arendo Co-Working Space in Bacolod City yesterday, said they have partnered with the Taxi Operators of Negros Occidental (Tono) in bringing their services to Negrenses.
As a measure to strengthen the presence of its innovative ride-hailing app in Western Visayas, Mauricio said they tapped at least 400 taxi member-units of Tono to be part of Hirna network.
“It fulfills our vision of providing quality taxi services to everyone in the country,” he said, adding that “it is our way of improving the lives of Filipino commuters by providing a reliable app that makes taxi services reliable, safe and affordable.”
Since its soft launching in the city last June 18, the firm noted that 90 percent of the covered taxi units are now operational.
Tono president Mario Eusebio, who was also present at the press launch, said the organization is proud that a modern hailing app is now available through taxis.
Eusebio said through Hirna, they can be able to alleviate the taxi operations mainly by catering to passengers in three ways such as online booking, text, and calls.
“Through Hirna, the association and the group of our taxis can now compete with technology especially Transport Network Vehicle System (TNVS),” he said, adding that “superb technology makes it easier to hail taxi.”
Features
Among many other features of the app that ensures reliability, safety and convenience of the passengers include Track My Ride that allows them to send locations to someone.
Others are Driver and Vehicle Rating System, In-app Messaging, and Push Banner Alert.
Also, it has live customer support to ensure that anyone can book a ride even without smartphones.
Like other applications, Hirna also has “feedbacking” feature that allows commuters to report drivers or rate the services they provide.
The app can be downloaded through App Store or Google Play Store while the customer hotlines for text and call bookings are 09171114888 and 09992214888.
“No app, no problem,” Mauricio said, pointing out that in terms of affordability, Hirna does not have booking fees or charges.
The estimated fare upon booking is normally higher than the actual rate the commuter pays, he added.
Ryan Yap, vice president of Tono, for his part, said Hirna enables taxis to cater to passengers among “interior” areas like subdivisions.
“This is the best way that we could reach our goals to provide the most convenient and safest possible riding service,” Yap said.
Beneficial, legal
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recognized the benefits of the application both to the commuters and operators.
Jong Alcover, officer-in-charge of LTFRB-Bacolod, said operators can easily monitor their drivers.
“While the public avails improved taxi services, operators can also track the operations of their drivers thus, both are benefiting,” he added.
Tono, moreover, assured the public that all Hirna taxi units are operating legally.
Yap said, “everything is made legal since all taxis are registered vehicles and not colorum ones.”