Wazzup Pilipinas!
Have you guys seen taxi cabs deployed with GPS-enabled mobile here in Metro Manila? There's even a small number of taxi cabs in Cebu that has those setup which was said to have been issued by a certain telecom company. Apparently, the gadgets are used for GPS-roving-mapping purposes.
There is also a World Bank funded study where they are conducting an ongoing transit app competition. They are trying to map traffic now so we know how to fix it fast and easy.
GrabTaxi, EasyTaxi, TaxiHero,....there's so many taxi startups but so litlle time. It wont be long now before every taxi driver will be equipped with a GPS-enabled smartphone and taxi app.
Well, the only app I've tried so far was GrabTaxi, originally MyTeksi from Malaysia, and it was an awesome piece of app.
I got invited to attend the press launch of Grab Taxi (still fresh with all that hashtag #timetograb) and it started with a pickup from home using the Grab Taxi affiliated taxis. The taxi driver only knew that he needed to take me to K Pub BBQ Meat All You Can restaurant at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and he was not aware that there was going to be a presscon at the said venue.
I think all of the taxi drivers were not informed so I was amazed that their service was not orchestrated to make it look good, fast and efficient.
That was my experience. I made it to the venue....fast and safe.
According to their website, GrabTaxi is an automated smartphone based booking and dispatch platform for the taxi industry in the Philippines. GrabTaxi aims to revamp these local taxi markets by introducing simple, cost effective mobile-based technology to both the supply (dispatch companies) and demand (passenger) sides of the distribution chain. With this technology, GrabTaxi hopes to optimize the matching process between taxi fleets and passengers.
Their vision is to revamp the Philippines’ taxi industry, making it a safer and more efficient means of transport they can all be proud of. They believe GrabTaxi is uniquely positioned to capture these market opportunities as (1) they are using leading edge technology to develop a more cost effective and functional solution than other available alternatives (2) their founding team has established relationships with the relevant industry players (3) market validation as evidenced by various leading taxi fleets, including 24/7 Taxi, already agreeing to explore a pilot program with them.
As long as you have either a Google Android or Apple iOS smartphone or tablet, then you're good to go!
First time to download and install the GrabTaxi app. It seems I have to setup the GPS first before I can make it work.
and before being able to begin a transaction, you are advised of the Php 70 booking fee that will go on top of your taxi fare. The drivers are trained to turn on the meter once the passenger is inside the taxi. All you have to pay is the metered fare (based on LTFRB) and the additional P70 booking fee.
The reason for a booking fee is for drivers to be able to cover their expense in going to where you are. Remember, drivers only start their meters once you're inside the taxi. In addition, they provide you speed, certainty, and safety. They will provide you the best taxi booking service in Manila and they promise to continuously serve you better every time.
Hhhmmm...not bad in exchange of convenient and reliable service especially when it is difficult to hail a taxi cab.
I grabbed more information from their website to help convince you to try GrabTaxi.
GrabTaxi improves the way passengers hail taxi drivers and the way taxi drivers look out for passengers. Their 3 unique selling points are:
1) Speed: GrabTaxi lets you find the taxi nearest you in less than a minute with just two taps! Waiting for your driver is also reduced as the algorithm in choosing the best driver for you is always the closest interested driver.
2) Certainty: Just open the app and know how many taxis are near you. Subsequently, they provide you instant confirmation on the status of your booking!
3) Safety: GrabTaxi provides you transparency in information of your taxi booking - driver's name, plate number, phone number, and estimated fare. Track your driver as you wait for him and "share-your-ride" on Facebook, Twitter, email, or SMS so your loved ones are assured of your route and arrival!
Taxi operators or around three fleets so far are partnered with Grab Taxi in providing the much needed service for the busy and on the run commuter who still can't afford to run around in his or her own car. There is definitely a lot more savings if we make use of public transportation instead of using our own vehicles and suffering from the high cost of gasoline.
But others commented that it is difficult to successfully close a transaction at Quezon City areas, and the people behind Grab Taxi apologized for that as they are still a startup company in its initial phase but is continuously growing and improving its reach. If all goes well, then it will soon become a very cool and useful app to make our commuting a lot easier.
Unless there's another rockstar developer out there who comes up with a better app, Grab taxi is the visionary app of our time.
Download the GrabTaxi iOS app in App Store and Android app in Google Play Store for FREE.
If you don't have a smartphone or it s battery ran out on you, you can call their partner fleet instead! Dial 642-3525; 641-4532; 640-2318; or txt 0939-1533495; 0927-8384833 for pickups.
Check out their video to know more: GrabTaxi: How It Works
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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