Grab ride harder to book, more expensive
Published Jun 18, 2019 04:08 pm
By Alexandria Dennise San Juan
Seventy-eight percent of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) passengers claimed experiencing difficulty in booking a ride after Grab Philippines deactivated its 5,000 partners, a survey done by commuter network The Passenger Forum (TPF) showed.
A passenger opens the Grab Philippines mobile application to book a Grab car unit in Manila. (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Primo Morillo, TPF convenor, said the survey also showed that 72 percent of TNVS riders complained about more expensive fare rides.
The group's online survey was conducted from June 14 to 15, or four days after ride-hailing leader Grab removed on its platform 5,000 unaccredited TNVS partners who failed to complete application requirements to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Among the 100 survey respondents, at least 31 percent are residents of Quezon City, 26 percent reside in Manila, and 17 percent in CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela).
Meanwhile, 26 percent of the respondents said they are using TNVS "more than once per day", 19 percent are using "once per day," 16 percent said they are using "more than thrice weekly," while 21 percent “once or twice weekly," 10 percent “once a month," and 8 percent are riding TNVS "very rarely."
It was also found out that top destinations of TNVS passengers are the Makati-Mandaluyong-San Juan area with 72 percent, followed by Quezon City with 61 percent, and the Taguig-Pasay-Paranaque-Pateros area with 41 percent.
According to Morillo, the survey results released over the weekend only proved their group's previous assertion that commuters will "bear the brunt of the mass deactivation of TNVS units."
Grab reiterated that the recent deactivation will present difficulties for the commuting public, since there are not enough TNVS to continue ferry the growing demand of commuters.
"Social solutions such as GrabShare, has been launched to help maximize the cars on the road, and be able to service as many passengers as possible- thus minimizing the effects of the recent 5,000 TNVS deactivation," Grab Philippines public affairs manager Nicka Hosaka said on Tuesday.
"However, these are merely remedial steps as 15,000 to 20,000 more TNVS units are needed to address the current demand," she added.
Grab said it will continue to uphold its commitments to regulators through assuring the riding public that their fare structure is still within LTFRB's approved TNVS fare matrix.
Earlier, Grab Philippines President Brian Cu assured that Grab fares will not be affected despite the deactivation of the providers and assured that the surge cap will be maintained.
Cu, however, admitted that due to lack of supply of vehicles, passengers will find it hard booking a GrabCar not only during rush hour but all throughout the day.
But he is optimistic that the recent 10,000 slots opened by the LTFRB for new TNVS applications will help in addressing the ride demand.
A passenger opens the Grab Philippines mobile application to book a Grab car unit in Manila. (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Primo Morillo, TPF convenor, said the survey also showed that 72 percent of TNVS riders complained about more expensive fare rides.
The group's online survey was conducted from June 14 to 15, or four days after ride-hailing leader Grab removed on its platform 5,000 unaccredited TNVS partners who failed to complete application requirements to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Among the 100 survey respondents, at least 31 percent are residents of Quezon City, 26 percent reside in Manila, and 17 percent in CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela).
Meanwhile, 26 percent of the respondents said they are using TNVS "more than once per day", 19 percent are using "once per day," 16 percent said they are using "more than thrice weekly," while 21 percent “once or twice weekly," 10 percent “once a month," and 8 percent are riding TNVS "very rarely."
It was also found out that top destinations of TNVS passengers are the Makati-Mandaluyong-San Juan area with 72 percent, followed by Quezon City with 61 percent, and the Taguig-Pasay-Paranaque-Pateros area with 41 percent.
According to Morillo, the survey results released over the weekend only proved their group's previous assertion that commuters will "bear the brunt of the mass deactivation of TNVS units."
Grab reiterated that the recent deactivation will present difficulties for the commuting public, since there are not enough TNVS to continue ferry the growing demand of commuters.
"Social solutions such as GrabShare, has been launched to help maximize the cars on the road, and be able to service as many passengers as possible- thus minimizing the effects of the recent 5,000 TNVS deactivation," Grab Philippines public affairs manager Nicka Hosaka said on Tuesday.
"However, these are merely remedial steps as 15,000 to 20,000 more TNVS units are needed to address the current demand," she added.
Grab said it will continue to uphold its commitments to regulators through assuring the riding public that their fare structure is still within LTFRB's approved TNVS fare matrix.
Earlier, Grab Philippines President Brian Cu assured that Grab fares will not be affected despite the deactivation of the providers and assured that the surge cap will be maintained.
Cu, however, admitted that due to lack of supply of vehicles, passengers will find it hard booking a GrabCar not only during rush hour but all throughout the day.
But he is optimistic that the recent 10,000 slots opened by the LTFRB for new TNVS applications will help in addressing the ride demand.