TRANSPORT network vehicle service Grab Philippines targets the completion for the training facility of its motorcycle taxi by March this year.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, Grab Philippines President Brian P. Cu showed the latest developments on its Grab Driver Center in Marikina City.
The center is a one-hectare facility that houses the safety training facility and training grounds for the company’s GrabBike.
It has a state-of-the-art training course, which will simulate different road conditions such as paved roads, pebbled roads, wet roads, and muddy roads so that riders will be ready for any road conditions that they might encounter on the road.
Grab Philippines (MyTaxi.PH, Inc.) centered its investments on safety and ground training as it put in around P15 million in training, infrastructure, and equipment such as vests and helmets.
The safety training facility is on par with international standards that prioritizes the safety of riders and passengers.
Mr. Cu said 1,000 bikers are fully trained and ready to serve commuters if the program was given the green light.
When asked about the effect of GrabBike towards the existing services of GrabFood and GrabExpress, Mr. Cu downplayed the concern.
He said that the demand for GrabFood is at its peak during lunch and dinner, leaving a lull time from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
He added that the drivers of GrabFood and GrabExpress can use that down time to serve commuters while waiting for the said peak times, resulting in higher income and more productivity.
The Grab PH president also stated the reason behind the business move.
Mr. Cu said that he saw the need in the market for another player in the motorcycle taxi industry and that drivers of GrabFood and GrabExpress expressed their desire to join the motorcycle hailing field.
The firm aims to reach up to 15,000 riders before it launches to the public.
GrabBike will join Angkas, Joyride, and Move It as the main players in the motorcycle taxi industry. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
