TACLOBAN City - The local government of Arteche, Eastern Samar will soon launch a ride-hailing app for tricycles and delivery services as they continue to utilize technology in adapting to the new normal due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said the app was developed by a company named Safe Transport Corp. It connects tricycle drivers and passengers for an orderly and systematic mode of transport.
He shared that it will not only help at least 120 tricycle operators and drivers registered in their municipality, who could provide the primary mode of transportation among residents, but will also be convenient for business establishments, even small merchants such as “sari-sari”, or convenient stores, water stations, and online sellers to deliver their products.
Since the drivers no longer need to go around to look for passengers, Evardone said there will be less operating expenses for them, and will be more comfortable for passengers who need not wait for their ride.
This will also augment their income when they accept personal errands, such as paying bills, buying food and medicine, and pickup and delivery of orders and purchases.
"Another advantage is there will be no overpricing since the rates are fixed. This will also help the local government unit in contact tracing," he added.
The LGU will be given a dashboard management control that will have a record on the history of all the drivers and passengers at a given time and place for each ride for 24/7. "If and when a COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) case is found, it would be easy to track who else rode the tricycle for that day and in the succeeding days."
Although the app may not work in all barangays due to poor network connectivity, the official expressed optimism that it will still enable the residents to adapt to the recent technological advancements with fast, easy, and less person to person contact transactions.