Singapore-based ride-hailing giant Grab will soon offer a new carpooling service in the Philippines, providing commuters with a cheaper option to travel through ride-sharing, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, who met with senior Grab executives last week, said the new feature supports the government’s push to make public transportation more efficient for commuters.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., according to Dizon, has been urging the agency to steer the country’s transport system away from a car-centric model toward a system that addresses the public’s commuting woes.

“This system from Grab will be one of the many ways we can carry more passengers and discourage the use of single passenger vehicles,” said Dizon.

Grab’s new carpooling service will offer multiple pick-up points for passengers, with a drop-off at a similar destination.

However, unlike its previous ride-sharing options, the service will also allow multiple passengers to be picked up from a single location and dropped off at different destinations.

In a video published on the DOTr’s Facebook page, it appears that Grab will utilize electric shuttle buses for this service.

Grab will offer the new feature at key locations during peak hours, with guaranteed departures present in its mobile app to maximize car capacity and help reduce road congestion.

The carpool service is expected to be piloted in the country before the year ends.

“We would like to thank Grab for offering to provide Filipino commuters with multiple options and ensure they have a safe and comfortable daily commute,” said Dizon.

Under its existing carpooling service, GrabShare, a passenger can share a ride with another commuter heading in the same direction.

The service is only available during peak periods and in crowded areas where demand is high and rides are harder to book.

According to Grab, passengers can benefit from 30-percent lower fares under this service.

The DOTr said that during Dizon’s visit to Grab’s headquarters in Singapore, he was also presented with another new feature called GrabMaps Pioneer.

The agency said this is a multi-modal crowdsourcing for map- or route-forming through cameras and high-definition four-wheel vehicle data for Grab drivers.

In 2022, Grab launched its in-house mapping service, GrabMaps, to capture real-time and hyperlocal conditions in which traditional mapmaking is lagging behind.

Grab’s local unit in the country is also fostering innovations.

Last month, Grab Philippines announced that it is now accepting cryptocurrencies as a new cash-in method for its in-app digital wallet.

In June, it said that it will kick off a pilot study on drone-powered commercial delivery for faster fulfillment of time-sensitive items, while seamlessly navigating densely populated areas.

“Grab Philippines is the DOTr’s committed partner in providing Filipinos efficient transportation through comfortable and efficient solutions to help commuters save time,” said Grab Philippines Managing Director and Head Ronald Roda.