GrabTaxi Official Launch of #GrabTaxiBaguio: FAQs About the GrabTaxi App

Hailing a taxi nowadays can really be frustrating and is completely old-fashioned for some.

With all the mobile apps and services sprouting like mushrooms, you could say that gone are the days when you had to stick out your arm and wait for a taxi to stop beside you.

I used to get anxious whenever I rode a cab, and that was enough reason for me to enroll in a driving school. But after I sold my car last year, commuting became more difficult again, especially when I had to bring the kids with me.

GrabTaxi has become my saving grace when it comes to commuting. I never leave the house without my portable WiFi, since GrabTaxi requires an internet connection. I also make it a point to share this wonderful application with friends and family, as it has made riding a GrabTaxi or GrabCar so much more convenient.

Last week, I was invited, along with other Manila bloggers, to visit Baguio and attend the official launch of #GrabTaxiBaguio, which happened last Wednesday, August 5, at Baguio Craft Brewery. You can check out everything we did before, during, and after the launch HERE.

But first, what is GrabTaxi?

GrabTaxi is a mobile application that can be easily downloaded on iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices. It started in Malaysia and has since expanded to the Philippines, as well as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Back then, there were only 20 to 30 people handling GrabTaxi here in the Philippines. Now, they have 188 employees all over the country. GrabTaxi is now available in six cities, namely Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Bacolod, Manila, and Baguio.

They now have more than 111,000 drivers registered in their network. The app helps passengers book rides directly through their smartphones.

GrabTaxi has one goal.

Their goal is to solve real problems that commuters in the taxi industry currently face, including everyday situations that often cost time and money without people even realizing it.

One common concern is safety, especially for women who usually take cabs at night. I used to feel uneasy every time I got into a taxi, as if I were always holding on for dear life.

Another issue travelers often encounter involves the drivers themselves and the overall riding experience. Safety has always been a major concern.

Some drivers would ask for an extra 50 pesos because the destination is “too far.” Others can be cranky throughout the ride. I also experienced drivers taking longer routes instead of the fastest shortcut to my destination.

It really makes many of us feel unsafe taking taxis, which is why others prefer alternative modes of transportation or simply choose to buy their own car instead.

Hailing a cab can truly be an inconvenience for all of us, especially when it is raining. You cannot get a cab because of the long lines at the taxi terminal. You end up wasting 15 to 20 minutes waiting, and then when it is finally your turn, the driver would just decline or cancel and leave you stranded.

GrabTaxi also aims to address problems on the drivers’ side.

There are now quite a number of taxis in Baguio, and the number continues to grow. At the same time, passengers are also increasing. It becomes difficult when there is an imbalance in supply and demand.

GrabTaxi helps drivers save time. Instead of roaming around the city for hours in search of passengers, which also leads to wasted fuel, drivers are able to find riders more efficiently through the app.

Ms. Khriztina Lim shared GrabTaxi’s three pillars that they always live by: Safe, Fast, and Sure.

They aim to provide safe rides for both passengers and drivers, as well as fast and reliable, or “sure,” rides.

So, how does the app work?

First, choose your pick-up point and drop-off point, then click Next.

There is an option field where you can add extra notes for the driver or even inform them about a tip in advance.

For promo codes, these usually help subsidize the metered fares of passengers.

Wait less than a minute for the driver’s confirmation.

Here is what you can see on your mobile screen:

• Driver’s plate number
• Name
• Photo
• Phone number

You can even track your ride and let others track you. There are no more dishonest drivers, as you will be able to see their exact location on the map provided by GrabTaxi.

You can also share your ride location with family and friends if you feel unsure about your driver. For example, if you are leaving the office, you can send the link to a friend and they can monitor your entire trip. Once you arrive, the driver will click the drop-off button so your friends are notified that you have reached your destination safely.

For the drivers, once a passenger books a ride, GrabTaxi will notify drivers within a 3 km radius. This is the standard radius in Metro Manila, but in Baguio, it will be reduced to 1 km.

Drivers have the option to either accept or decline the booking.

Most of the reasons why drivers may not pick up passengers are that they already have riders on board or they are about to change shifts.

So, why Baguio?

They built a launch team that studies which cities would most benefit from GrabTaxi. Based on their findings, Baguio was identified as the top choice, next to Manila.

Baguio was selected because of the steadily growing BPO industry over the years, as well as the increasing number of tourists visiting the city. Some drivers also experience difficulty locating passengers around Baguio, making a ride-hailing solution even more useful.

Before the official launch, the GrabTaxi Baguio team spent the entire day meeting with city officials and local government units to inform them firsthand that they were already operating in the city. They take a hyperlocal approach, ensuring that before any public introduction, the local government is already aware and aligned with their presence.

They also visited Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who took the time to really understand what the app is all about and was very supportive of the launch. They likewise visited the LTFRB Baguio office.

The GrabTaxi Baguio team had also been doing beta testing for a month to ensure that the app was working properly and was compatible with the mobile phones that drivers would use.

During their one-month stay, they were able to successfully interview several Baguio drivers, some of whom were also present during the launch event.

Mr. Rodolfo Ting, a driver from Baguio, explained that his income used to be around 900 pesos, but with GrabTaxi, he is able to bring home an additional 4,500 pesos for his family. In total, he has around 170 passengers in a week. With GrabTaxi, he can find passengers more efficiently, which also helps him save time and fuel.

Ms. Palmarin Nuval, also a driver from Baguio, shared that she feels safer because passengers are also being monitored through GrabTaxi.

Here are some of the questions answered by Ms. Lim at the #GrabTaxiBaguio launch:

How many taxis and taxi drivers is GrabTaxi targeting in Baguio within a year?

After the launch, GrabTaxi plans to onboard all drivers who meet their standards. However, this is not guaranteed at 100 percent. They are targeting around 70 percent of the total number of drivers in Baguio, as they aim to ensure that drivers meet certain standards before being signed up with GrabTaxi.

GrabTaxi Baguio charges a 25 peso booking fee, but promo codes like “BAGUIO” can waive the fee and even give additional fare discounts. All rides remain meter-based, with no special rates, even for long trips, and only the booking fee is added if no promo is used.

The service currently focuses on GrabTaxi in Baguio, not GrabCar, as the company prioritizes improving the system first. Drivers undergo strict training, cannot cancel once a passenger is onboard, and all activity is monitored through the app.

GrabTaxi works only with LTFRB-accredited operators and has about 30% market penetration in Baguio. Driver quality is maintained through operator recommendations, inspections, training, and a feedback system that allows suspension for validated complaints. Passengers can also be banned after repeated complaints.

Drivers use company-issued smartphones tied to their taxi units, which are microfinanced and paid back through earnings. Incentives and a VIP driver program are also in place to encourage good service and fair treatment of passengers.

If you need more information regarding this app, GrabTaxi has a 24/7 customer service.

You can download the GrabTaxi app for free on the following platforms:

Android: http://bit.ly/grabtaxi-Android

iOS: http://bit.ly/grabtaxi-iOS

Windows: http://bit.ly/GrabTaxi-Windows

Website: www.grabtaxi.com