By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, May 22 (PNA) — GrabTaxi, Southeast Asia’s largest taxi-booking mobile phone app, marked this week its first anniversary of its GrabCar services in the Philippines – a chauffeured car fleet offering.
GrabCar was officially launched on May 21, 2014 and has since then revolutionized transportation by giving passengers an option to get to their destination in a private vehicle with a few taps on their smartphone.
It has sealed partnerships with existing private car fleets already operating in the country.
GrabTaxi deputy country manager Natasha Bautista in a statement revealed that GrabCar was designed to complement the taxi industry in the Philippines.
“It targets passengers who are willing to pay a pre-arranged fixed price to get to their destination. It is very different with taxis in terms of payment option,” Bautista said.
Although the company’s headquarters is based in Singapore, GrabTaxi executives make sure that operations are within the parameters of the transportation rules in the Philippines.
It even has a permanent office in the country with more than 200 Filipino employees.
“Like any other legitimate business operating in the country, GrabTaxi pays taxes to the government,” Bautista added.
LTFRB executive director Roberto Cabrera for his part congratulated the taxi app for turning a year old.
“GrabTaxi has been working with the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) since day one of operations,” Cabrera said.
The LTFRB official further said that the company has been collaborative with the board on the drafts on the policy on the Transportation Network Companies (TNCs).
Just this month, GrabCar was recognized by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) under the Transportation Network Companies (TNC) category.
Other GrabCar services include allowing private vehicle owners to operate with GrabCar thorough a service called GrabPeer to offer rides to the public.
GrabPeers undergo a strict accreditation process implemented by GrabCar to ensure passengers’ safety and convenience. (PNA)