By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

GRAB PHILIPPINES (MyTAXI.PH, Inc.) said it needs around 8,000-10,000 more vehicles to operate on its platform to meet high demand.

Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu told reporters yesterday during the TNVS Expo event that they have been trying to entice accredited transport network vehicle service (TNVS) who have been dormant to re-operate, aside from processing the applications of Uber Philippines (Uber Systems, Inc.) partners who are applying to operate under Grab.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allowed on Thursday Uber operators accredited by the company to transfer to the two other transport network companies (TNCs), Grab Philippines and UHOP during the month-long suspension of Uber.

Mr. Cu said the past week had been “difficult” for the company, as they were suddenly met with increased demand with no increase in supply.

“The LTFRB made a good move to allow Uber drivers to get accredited in other platforms,” Mr. Cu also said.

Grab set up booths during the Expo for Uber drivers to sign up on the Grab platform. The TNVS Expo was organized to facilitate dialogue between Grab, the government, and drivers as well as provide an avenue for drivers to air their concerns such as matters related to processing of their certificates of public convenience (CPCs) and provisional authorities (PAs).

Leo Gonzales, Public Affairs Manager of Grab, said drivers from Uber “go through the regular process” of accreditation.

Mr. Cu said that in light of numerous reports of cancellations by drivers, they have already banned nine drivers who had cancellation rates of more than 80%, and that they will provide incentives for drivers with low cancellation rates.

TAXI APP
For its part, transport group Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) will launch in September Micab, a taxi ride-hailing app in Metro Manila, in a bid to adapt to the wave of ride-sharing platforms and technology-based riding services.

Lawyer Bong Suntay, president of PNTOA, said the app allows commuters to book taxi rides via Micab, which already began operations in Cebu and Iloilo.

“We sought to look for a provider which will be exclusive for taxis,” Mr. Suntay told BusinessWorld via phone interview.

Mr. Suntay said they spoke with the person who started app, a local entrepreneur, for PNTOA to be able to use the platform.

“Even before Uber was here, even before GrabCar became popular, [taxi drivers used] GrabTaxi….Sadly, when [Grab Philippines] saw that private cars were popular, they shifted their concentration to GrabCar,” Mr. Suntay said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Mr. Suntay said he first saw a similar app for taxis operating in Japan.

He said Micab will use “presumptive pricing” which will also be based on algorithms, similar to the pricing scheme of ride-sharing platforms Uber and Grab.

Taxi drivers who use the platform but are hailed on the street will be using the regular taxi meter, while taxis booked using the platform can apply the “presumptive pricing” scheme, he explained.

“That’s the convenience passengers look for…I saw comments that passengers like knowing how much to pay even before they take rides,” Mr. Suntay said.

The app to be launched in September, however, will not yet apply the “presumptive pricing” scheme and will only be for booking taxi rides which will then use the regular taxi meter, Mr. Suntay said, as they are still seeking permission from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to use the upfront pricing scheme.

“The last time [we talked to the LTFRB], I mentioned it to Chair Delgra and Board Member Lizada at the Senate hearing,” Mr. Suntay said, referring to the Aug. 3 hearing.

“They said, ‘That’s okay’, show us, we’ll sit through it and let’s see,” Mr. Suntay said in a mix of English and Filipino.

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