A TRANSPORT network company that books rides over a mobile app has expanded its services to Cebu, from being just a taxi-hailing service to offering private car rides.
Grab Philippines, the company behind Grab Taxi, launched on Friday GrabCar, a private vehicle transport system intended as an alternative commuting solution to Cebu’s riding public.
At its launching at the SM Seaside City, Grab Philippines country head Bryan Cu said it already has a hundred accredited drivers in Cebu, and the company intends to grow this network within the year.
Grab Philippines has been popular for its Grab taxi service that boasts of a convenient and safe commute for passengers, alongside its affordable rates through promotions.
Cebu, according to Cu, is the third city in the country to have a GrabCar service. It was first introduced in Metro Manila more than two years ago, then in Bacolod City.
The company is encouraging more private vehicle owners to join the Grab Car network. According to Cu, full-time drivers may earn P50,000 to P60,000 a month while an estimated P20,000 may be earned from part-time drivers on a monthly basis.
Unlike other private car hailing apps, Cu said the primary payment mode for Grab Car is cash, while other passengers can choose to pay using their credit cards.
“Cash is still king for a lot of our countrymen,” he noted.
Cu said GrabCar passengers get a fixed rate for the fare. Based on algorithmic measure, the Grab service identifies the base price from the point of origin of the passenger to the destination.
More importantly, Cu said Grab drivers are required to undergo the company’s drug test program to ensure the safety of the passengers.
All over Southeast Asia, Cu said Grab has a network of 320,000 drivers and he cited Philippines as one of the fastest markets of the company.
Grab, which was founded in Malaysia, is also present in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“We are here to become a solution to our country’s commuting problems,” Cu said.
Cebu, he said, is the company’s second market in the country, after Metro Manila.