TAXI-hailing app Micab expects to end the year with 15,000 partner-taxis as it expands operations to Cagayan de Oro and Davao cities this year.
At present, Micab app is available in Cebu City, Metro Manila, Baguio, Bacolod, and Iloilo. It has about 5,000 partner-taxis, of which 3,000 are based in Cebu.
Eddie Ybañez, Micab Systems Corp. founder and chief executive officer, said that Micab is on an expansion mode this year following its accreditation as a Transport Network Company (TNC) by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board last April 30.
“Ever since the TNC accreditation was created, we’ve recognized it a milestone for the country. It’ll allow tech companies to legally innovate mobility and transportation in the Philippines. Now that Micab has been extended this recognition, we look forward to revitalizing the taxi industry with our vision for Taxi 2.0,” said Ybañez.
Taxi 2.0 envisions cabs that will be clean, modern, and inviting and, more importantly, driven by well-trained drivers who are friendly, polite, and kind, said Ybañez.
Besides expanding in other areas this year, the Cebuano tech entrepreneur is also negotiating with a group of Singapore-based venture capitalists to raise the company’s capitalization requirement of $1 million to $5 million for other expansion projects, including logistics, cargo, and health care services.
Ybañez added they are also looking at deploying the app for other modes of transportation like jeepneys, passenger vans, and buses.
“All we need to do is tweak the app and make it friendlier to public utility vehicles,” said Ybañez.
Micab eliminates the long queues of passengers in taxi stands. It also provides drivers of assured passengers.
The app has its own call and chat interface that gives users and the drivers real-time communications. It has a built-in ticketing system, an electronic wallet for payments, and rewards points for the drivers as incentives.
In April, CNN Philippines reported that the LTFRB had accredited two ride-hailing apps, Hype and HirNa, in addition to Grab and U-Hop
Micab has logged 90,000 user registrations. The app is available for download in both the App Store and Google Play Store. KOC